Outstanding Opportunity of a Lifetime Past Review

By (International Business and Management, University of Nevada - Reno) for

USAC Germany: Lüneburg - German Language, European and Sustainability/Environmental Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Outstanding program which is affordable and a chance of a lifetime. I would highly encourage students to take this opportunity.

Review Photos

USAC: Luneburg - German Language, European Studies, and Engineering Photo USAC: Luneburg - German Language, European Studies, and Engineering Photo USAC: Luneburg - German Language, European Studies, and Engineering Photo USAC: Luneburg - German Language, European Studies, and Engineering Photo USAC: Luneburg - German Language, European Studies, and Engineering Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic level met and exceed my U.S. American standards. It is my firm belief that I am a better student and world citizen from the academic achievements from this program.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Host country program administration was excellent overall. The on-site resident director was very helpful, knowledge, and understanding. Additionally, the staff and instructors were very helpful which resulted in one of the greatest study abroad experiences I have ever had.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had a private room in an apartment with other Germans. We shared 1 1/2 baths and a full kitchen. The laundry facilities were in the basement of the building. This structure was ideal and I would highly recommend the option of having apartments / dorms with other local students.

* Food:

The host university, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, has an on-campus cafeteria that provides some tasty meals for a good price (avg. cost about 3.50 US dollars). Plus, local bakeries are located within walking distance of any location. The top grocery locations were Aldi (next to campus), Edeka-West (in town on a bus route) and the local farmers market.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

I spoke German with my five German roommates, German neighbors, German co-workers, professors and daily life interaction. I had mixed language instruction which was highly beneficial, as I learned a great deal more in a rapid amount of time with the full language immersion. Plus, the local university offers language partners that allows you to advance your German language speaking skills while assisting a local in advancing their English skills.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? All types of students who are cognizant of the global environment we exist in.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

German Composition I

Course Department: GER 305
Instructor:
Instruction Language: German
Comments: Intense language study that helped accelerate my German speaking, reading, and writing abilities.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues transferring credits.
Course Name/Rating:

Capstone: Political Systems of Western Europe

Course Department: PSC 407A
Instructor: Professor Sören Köppen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was well prepared and provided an in-depth look at the German form of government juxtaposed to other governmental forms within Europe and that of the United States. The course utilized field trips to Hamburg.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues transferring credits.
Course Name/Rating:

German Composition II

Course Department: GER 306
Instructor:
Instruction Language: German
Comments: Second half of intense language study that helped accelerate my German speaking, reading, and writing abilities.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues transferring credits.
Course Name/Rating:

German Conversation

Course Department: GER 309
Instructor: Professor Uta Röpke
Instruction Language: German
Comments: Course helped enhance my German speaking abilities. Additionally, it helped me learn what normal phrases and common vernacular was used throughout Germany. The professor was very helpful and well-prepared.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues transferring credits.
Course Name/Rating:

Advance German Grammar Composition I

Course Department: GER 407
Instructor:
Instruction Language: German
Comments: First half of intense language study that focused on one's composition and writing abilities. The professor was very helpful and informative. The class was structured in a manner that allowed for the students to grow and writing coherent essays in German.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues transferring credits.
Course Name/Rating:

Capstone: Inter-Cultural Communications

Course Department: COM 412
Instructor: Professor Uta Röpke
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Course provides a highly useful knowledge for communicating inter-culturally. Course provides the foundations of inter-cultural communication, and then builds upon this with recent developments. Students apply this skills from the material in their daily lives, and are required to conduct a inter-cultural research project utilizing different methods of study.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues transferring credits.
Course Name/Rating:

Economic and Political Institutions of the European Union

Course Department: ECON 493
Instructor: Professor Sörren Köppen
Instruction Language: English
Comments: High caliber course that introduced the different bodies, functions, and capacities of the European Union. The course provided an in-depth look at the junction of the political and economical structures of the European Union, while providing a Europe wide historical context. The professor uses reading from direct sources, which provides a high level analysis and requires critical reading skills. The structure and material of the course is vital for any person interested or planning on living and working within Europe.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues transferring credits.
Course Name/Rating:

Survey of Art History I

Course Department: ART 260R
Instructor: Professor Uta Röpke
Instruction Language: German
Comments: Course provides a wide and medium depth of art history within Europe from the 14th Century to present. As a business major, this course was very informative as it helped define the impacts of the modernization and industrialization upon society and the human psyche. The course utilized field trips to the Hamburg Museum of Art, which holds art from the periods studied.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues transferring credits.
Course Name/Rating:

Business German

Course Department: GER 416
Instructor: Professor Micheala Gladun
Instruction Language: German
Comments: The course was for non-native language speakers of German, and had at minimum four semesters equivalent prior experience of German. The course was extremely helpful, as business German is different from typically used German. The material was very helpful, because I was working at a German organization, and the language skills were immediately applicable to my situation.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues transferring credits.