Time escapes rather quickly. Take advantage of every second. Past Review
By Dustin Baumgardner (West Texas A&M University) - abroad from 01/03/2018 to 04/27/2018 with
USAC Germany: Lüneburg - German Language, European and Sustainability/Environmental Studies
No words can accurately describe what I have gained from studying abroad. It was most certainly worthwhile, and I will do anything and everything possible to return.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was extremely challenging, but the professors were very adaptive for student's learning methods. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration went about their job in a very well organized, professional, and interactive manner. When I return, be it in University or not, I want to see the on-site admin again. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was very kind, accepting, and overall just good people! |
| * Food: |
I would return to Germany just for the food! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It is nearly impossible not to integrate with the local culture due to the fact that the University did not have campus housing. I actually feel more at home in Luneburg Germany than I do in Amarillo Texas now. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
If there is one thing that Germans like to stay on top of, it is insurance. Be it for a car, University, health, fitness studio, etc. They were always on top of it. |
| * Safety: |
I come from a small town in rural Texas, and I felt more safe in Luneburg than I ever have in my home town. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would do anything just to live as a local in Luneburg for one more day. |
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) |
It really depends on the person. I am a bodybuilder, so I naturally eat more than the average student.. or local person in Europe. However, things like salami, bread, cheese, and potatoes go a long way. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make arrangements for a phone. Even the cheap phones from the country you go to will work better than your one from here. The satellites have different frequencies, so even an international plan will have its own problems with reception. |
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 |
I used German every day for three months. I went from not knowing anything to speaking with minimal problems in one month. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I went to Germany below an A1 level, but I was well between A2 and B1 when I left. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Start by speaking what you can of the language, and only use Englisch to fill in words that you don't know. Always have a notepad or phone handy to take down words that you will need to use later. Every night I played an Audiobook in the native language while I slept. Even though I had no idea what was being said for a time, it helped me stay calm when I needed to pick out words from the locals in order to understand a situation. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | Insurance and healthcare are much more expensive in Europe als in den USA. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
