Berlin du bist so wunderbar. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The most challenging aspect of the university was the language barrier, but in terms of academic rigor it was low in comparison to my home university. I learned more on the streets day to day than in the classroom because I felt less inhibited.

On-site administration of your program

When I desperately needed someone, they were there for me, which I greatly appreciated. However, when there was an issue that was not urgent or not something well known to the program administrators, then they were not the most helpful. Depending on how independent you are, this could be frustrating, or not a problem whatsoever!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The location of my student housing was pretty good - access to the S Bahn and a bus/tram within 10 minutes walking distance, however I was not so lucky with my actual room. Considering the other students stay in Studentenwerk usually at least a year and I only a semester, this placing was understandable, but considering how much I pay for housing usually at my home university, I expected something nicer when housing is very cheap in Berlin in comparison.

Grocery shopping was the easiest thing to do in Berlin. There are Supermarkets everywhere you turn, and the food is much cheaper than in the US. Wellesley gave me money each month for groceries, and I did not have a problem with that.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It helped a lot to discuss the cultural differences between Germans and Americans at the beginning of the program through a course with Middlebury College. I then took this knowledge and proved it in a sense by using it to integrate into the culture. Of course I didn't learn everything through these discussions at the beginning of my stay in Berlin, because to really learn about a culture you have to experience it. I felt that I had many opportunities to do this, but it took my own courage and confidence to be able to do this - it was not something provided by the program. Nevertheless, I really felt that I learned not only about the local culture, but more about my own as well, which was eye-opening.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

When I needed to see a doctor, my program director helped me, and the administrators checked up on me, which was considerate, but my healthcare did not cover cold medication, which was really the only thing I needed!

I never once felt in danger in Berlin - not even at 3 AM on the dark streets of Neukölln, rather I felt a sense of community because everybody was experiencing the same thing I was. Berlin is a young vibrant city, but of course that is not to say that danger is never a threat. In large cities that goes without saying, but anybody I spoke to ages 20-45 felt Berlin is very safe, and I agree.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Though it was easy to shop for groceries and to cook for myself, other personal expenses that I did not foresee needing to take care of were on the expensive side. Paying for a cell phone, laundry, shampoo..it all adds up. I would have appreciated a slightly raised budget for these types of things from Wellesley.

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

We took a language pledge at the beginning of the program, which forced us to speak German at all times. This was helpful and improved my conversational language skills.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Support when I needed it
• German tutors were caring and determined
• The daily blog in the target language

• Integration with the host culture
• Opportunities to travel around Germany!!!
• More assistance with finding an apartment in the city

The Academic or Linguist