Truly German Experience Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The language courses were very intense and moved quickly. They required a lot of work and attention. I could not have asked for more patient and encouraging instructors and I was blown away at how much my German language improved by the end of the semester. The classroom size was reasonable. The students that were there to learn advanced and improved in their studies and kept up with our units. If you do not do the homework and you skip class you'll fall behind and be lost. In addition to homework, extra training and practices were always recommended (not required) in case you were an ambitious student. There was an abundance of people in the city that were happy to help an American practice speaking German and the campus was full of classrooms, libraries, and computer labs to work in. I stayed after class at my desk often with the classroom to myself to start working on my homework in a room with huge windows and halls that were peaceful and quiet. Tutoring with USAC staff was always available and I took advantage of the opportunity for as much as possible. All professors and directors in the program were amazingly helpful and encouraging.

On-site administration of your program

The on campus administration was amazing, everyone is extremely friendly and professional. They were helpful from even weeks before I reached Luneburg and on the day I arrived in Germany they were there to greet all students on the group flight at the airport. It was very organized. They were intelligent and always open to a great discussion, the kind of people that talk to you because they are actually interested in what you have to say, not because its their jobs. I may have spent more time talking to the administration and instructors than I did to other students because they always has so much to share. Field trips were plentiful, inexpensive if not free, and well organized. Field trips from courses that I was not enrolled were still nearly always open to all of the USAC students.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I included much detail in my housing application and I was paired with the most amazing host family and another USAC student who with all be my lifelong friends. A+. I recommend to any one applying to this program, or any program for this matter, be honest and detailed about yourself with your housing application. I may have been overly detailed but I can tell that the program administration worked very hard to consider all of the students in the program and their housing needs. I was very satisfied.

Weekly host family dinner was the highlight of my life! Doners instead of taco bell. I give this 4 stars because the stores are closed on Sundays so you better get your shopping done by Saturday evening. The stores also closes earlier than in most of the US in general. There is good shopping though, both in Luneburg and Hamburg.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was cold for a good amount of the Spring semester so I don't feel I had the best chance to see many of the locals out and about. By the time the weather improved most of my time was dedicated to homework/studying, traveling, spending time with my USAC friends/host family, and shopping/eating. I did get to know a lot of Germans on campus and at places I frequented in town

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

No personal experience, seems fine. Students in the program that saw doctors were helped by USAC staff to connect them with English speaking physicians.

Very safe, no problems.

I learned the language and submerged myself into another culture for 4 months.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

the Euro is worth more than the dollar but still if you eat meals at the Mensa you can save a lot of money. Eating out is expensive, groceries are very very affordable.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans

• The Classes
• The German USAC team
• My Host Family and the city

• Can't complain.