Moving past myself: How mirrors aren't mirrors. Past Review
By Brian W (Linguistics., Truman State University) for
Wayne State University: Junior Year in Munich
My study abroad experience was worthwhile. I enjoyed my time in Germany and I learned a lot about both Germans and myself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Based on the fact that the host country administration of my study abroad program was comprised of native Germans, they had a great deal of insight and advice for situations that came up. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment came unfurnished, but I was able to acquire things with relative ease. The neighborhood I lived in was predominantly student-based, very safe, although a fair ways away from the center of town and the university. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Being in Munich, Bavaria, one of the biggest draws was Oktoberfest at the beginning of the year. I also enjoyed taking part in the traditional forms of culture, such as beer-drinking in older style taverns as well as hiking and biking with fellow students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Germany is a very safe place to live and study. It is comparable to the United States, if not even surpassing, in its levels of health care and safety. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent anywhere from 50 to 100 Euros a week on food and personal expenses, although that number varied a great deal. As I finally settled into a lifestyle and had more of a routine, that number went down a great deal. However, things usually come up, so my budget usually kept steady. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be careful how much you spend on food and drink. Europe is fairly expense in those matters. Also, the first option at public transportation may not be the best or cheapest. I found a cheaper ticket that fit my needs and was better for me than the first suggestion I was given. |
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? | Prior to traveling to Germany, I had completed the equivalent of four semesters of German language instruction. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I was required to speak German on a daily basis, and German was used for nearly all social interactions. Many people in Germany can speak English, but vastly prefer to speak German for official situations. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If a student is looking for a program to help them study in Germany, then this is a very good program. There are some drawbacks, especially in the areas of costs and finances. For particularly motivated people, I would suggest studying in Germany independently. |
