Amazing! Past Review
By Jennifer M (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/19/2011 to 07/14/2012 with
Wellesley College: Wellesley-in-Berlin
Language learning, cultural experience. Definitely worthwhile, I'm sad to be back and would recommend a year abroad to everyone.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Freie Universität Berlin (Free University of Berlin) |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Most of what I learned was outside the classroom. There is no comparison to the education I receive at Wellesley. I didn't feel a strong connection to the University, including the faculty, students or courses. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The orientation wasn't especially helpful, but the administration did a wonderful job taking our feedback into account and changing things up according to our comments for the semester orientation in February. They were attentive and emotionally very supportive. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Awful housing. I was placed in student housing on the very edge of Berlin, 90% of the students there were NOT German and wanted to speak English, and most of them were incredibly anti-social. The kitchen was dirty, the room was filthy, the bathroom was almost unusable. Everything was broken. I moved out as soon as my contract allowed me - I wish someone had warned me NOT to do the contract through the school because I had to live in the place for almost 3 months. It was awful and a waste of money and time there. In the future, I would recommend that students get a host family for 2-3 weeks while they search for apartments on their own. Alternatively, I know that some programs own their own apartments in the city, this program has been around over 10 years so that's also a good possibility. In any case, they should not be living in the conditions that the student dorms came in. They were bad on every level and made the already difficult transition into a new place so much harder. I didn't feel comfortable or welcome, and it impacted my happiness during the beginning of my stay in an otherwise wonderful program. |
| * Food: |
Food was all purchased on our own. Many good (cheap) options in Berlin, both for restaurants and for groceries. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved the people in Berlin. It was a wonderful experience and I love the culture and people so much. I can tell coming back that I've picked up on some of the cultural standards from the country. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Administrators always willing to help, was somewhat difficult to find english speaking doctors. Even doctors who said they spoke english sometimes had difficulties explaining the technical terms. In terms of general care, however, it was very competent. |
| * Safety: |
Never felt in danger at any time. |
| 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) |
Food and housing was very cheap but everything was separate. If there was planning involved, one could live very cheaply in Berlin. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 Euro |
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 |
Had to use the language at all times with program |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200 Level German Language |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Make friends!! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Housing information |
