Valpo's Reutlingen Program Offers Flexibility to Learn Abroad in Your Own Chosen Way Past Review

By (Political Science, German, Valparaiso University) for

Valparaiso University: Reutlingen - Hochschule Reutlingen

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The experience helped me learn more about myself. My limitations and shortcomings became very apparent, especially my language skills. I also learned to be very flexible and not make too many assumptions in new environments

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I welcomed the abundance of time allotted for the students to travel, but was slightly underwhelmed by the demands of the coursework. The system did not differ much from the American system because the program is run by Valparaiso University.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The director of the study abroad programs in Reutlingen was intimately involved with the Valpo study group. He was very helpful and knowledgeable.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Many of the items that I expected would be provided were indeed provided--so that was good. Almost everything that I needed was prearranged, or I was well-informed as to how to obtain those necessities.

* Food:

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent about 25 Euros a week on food at the campus. I travelled every weekend, so those expenses were between 75 and 125 Euros a weekend.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The train reservation expenses were more than I had anticipated, especially having purchased the Eurail train pass.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? German 353
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

To really speak German, I found that I needed to make a concerted effort to speak with German students and locals. I always spoke English with my fellow Valpo students, which made immersion all the more difficult and required me to redouble my efforts to go out of my comfort zone to encounter German speakers.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

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  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Those with Wanderlust!