Paderborn: for the better or for worse Past Review
By A student (Math Education and German, Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 07/31/2012 with
Paderborn University: Paderborn - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
For sure worthwhile. I learned a lot about other nations and got a small glimpse at what an average university student is like. I learned so much German, I could have learned more tho.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universität Paderborn |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took courses in German and I was in no way a fluent speaker. I should have taken the DSH B2/C1 morning course instead of lectures. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Peter-Hille-Weg sucks, international students shouldn't live there. |
| * Food: |
Good meat and beer |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was ok, could have been better |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Joining a gym is way too expensive/complicated so i ended up gaining some pounds. |
| * Safety: |
Extremely safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
save money |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 40-60 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | pregame to save money and drink at König's Keller for a cheap bar |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | German 213 - German composition |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | talk to yourself in German and try to get some German friends. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish i didnt listen to any advice the past students told us. I wish I realized that Paderborn is in no way a city - its a village. I wish I knew not to take lectures but instead do the crash course (to meet other international students) and to take the DSH morning course (to improve german) |
