Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Not my favorite city, not my favorite program, not my favorite experience Past Review

By (Philosophy., Wellesley College) - abroad from 03/10/2012 to 07/17/2012 with

Wellesley College: Wellesley-in-Berlin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was an interesting, but not necessarily worthwhile experience. I am somewhat glad I experienced it, but I am not pleased with the monetary cost it took to have it. I felt constantly out of place in Berlin (as an American and as an Asian) and I was incredibly disappointed by the fact that we were not able to take many/most of the courses we wanted to take because they were deemed too difficult. But the city is certainly interesting to experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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? No

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* 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? 60 Euros per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shop at grocery stores, don't buy things you don't need, don't eat out

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
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? 200-level courses/seminar-type classes
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Heike Fahrenberg
  • Food budget for student dinners
  • The directors really want to help
* What could be improved?
  • Non-condescending orientation (too much about how we "need to be prepared for culture")
  • Perhaps warning us about HORRENDOUS dorm conditions
  • Communication--too much confusion about money payments, credits, and whether we could even take a certain class at FU
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that: 1) the dorms would make me hate living in Berlin and I was constantly uncomfortable even at "home", 2) it was going to be CRAZY expensive to just pay for the program, 3) there are other program options like Erasmus that give you more leniency as well as MONEY to study there.

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 Linguist
You 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!