Paderborn, Germany Past Review

By (International Business, Marketing, Illinois State University) for

Paderborn University: Paderborn - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Had a great experience but if I had to do it all over again I might have chosen a place with sunny beaches.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The support services consisted of Frau Brebeck who did an excellent job of helping the international students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very safe neighborhood, and was close to the city.

* Food:

Expect to eat a lot of pork.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

EuroBiz had many trips that were inexpensive planned throughout the semester.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Varied among students.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Food is far more expensive than the program's estimated budget. Take the total budget amount and add at least 30 percent to it unless you plan on not traveling or eating normal meals.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Second Year German
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Most people spoke English, but practiced German while going about everyday activities in town.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Great for business students, outside of that I don't know what other majors would benefit at this University.