Kimberly Marshall Music/CAS 2001 Bayreuth Summer 1999 August 2-28, 1999

Program and Preparation for Study Abroad

1. Where and when did you study abroad? (Which program ?)

Bayreuth program in August of 1999

2. How much German did you know before you left for Europe?

One year

3. What was your major and how did German fit in with your overall academic plans?

My majors are anthropology and Ethnomusicology. The program has a musical aspect which interested me, but mainly it was to fulfill my German language requirement.

4. What foreign contacts did you have before studying abroad?

none

5. Which courses do you wish you had taken before leaving for Europe?

6. How do you feel you could better have prepared yourself for your study abroad experience?

Program Description

1. How would you describe and evaluate this study abroad program and the opportunities it provided for learning German? How many students in a class? How many students in the entire program? Teachers? Special features? Positive aspects? Negative aspects?

The program consisted of morning german classes and afternoon optional activites. German was learned in the classroom, but with very few native english speakers in this international program, German was spoken exclusively. Class sizes were small (about 15) and very suited to your ability level. They tested and placed people, but there was always the option that you could move around to your comfort level. Many classes learned grammar and composition. My class did a little with grammar, but we would have daily discussions on controversial topics. It was amazing to me that I could talk about things like gun control and abortion with students from all over the world IN GERMAN. I thought it was fabulous. Over all, it was the teachers and students who determined the course of the class.

2. What were the strongest aspects of the program?

The international student body. In so many study abroad programs you are placed with other American students, and when you're not in class you speak English. There was only one other American in the program of 60 or so. The rest were students from all over the world (literally). England, Spain, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, Finland, China, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada... Though most students spoke English, most were not native English speakers, and thus communication was all done in German. Aside from meeting so many fabulously diverse people, the improvement to my spoken German was amazing.

3. Where do you feel the study abroad program needs improvement?

More pre-travel communication with students. Its nerve-wraking going that far away into uncertainty. But it really does turn out alright.

4. How would you describe the housing? (Where did you live? Who else lived there? Were there cooking facilities or a meeting room with T.V? Was there much opportunity to practice German?

I lived with a German family. Its slightly more expensive, but it was a great experience and I highly recommend it (You can put up with just about anyone for a month). Some students lived in dorms which had their own kitchen and bathroom and laundry facilities, but seemed kind of isolated to me. You'd have to be pretty outgoing to meet people there. In my guest family I had my own bedroom, bathroom and study/tv room, and watching German TV was pretty entertaining. We spoke German constantly and the food and hospitality were great.

5. Describe a memorable experience where you made effective use of your German.

6. What do you wish you had done while studying abroad?

I wish I had had more time to travel. I was in a limited time frame, and had to get back, but I would have liked to see more of Europe.

Location

What were the advantages or disadvantages of the town or city where the program is based?

Bayreuth is a BEAUTIFUL place, especially in August. Its filled with pretty old buildings and a quaint Markt and amazing parks, easily reached by bus (which is free with the program). And there's even a modern mall.

Travel

1. What were the most memorable and valuable trips which you took during your stay abroad?

GO SEE REGENSBERG. It was a fabulous city and (aside from Bayreuth) my favorite place that I saw.

Back at Northwestern

1. Which courses did you take or do you plan to take to complement or expand on what you have done in Europe?

Since the program was only a month, I couldn't get credit for a full year. I took 204- Foundations of Literary Study. I found it challanging (I had good communication skills, but still had poor grammar skills, which really sticks out when you're writing). However, I survived, and with that single semester, completed my German requirement.

2. How did you get credit for the academic work you did in Europe?

3. How did your academic plans change, if at all, after you returned to Northwestern?

4. What advice would you have for students contemplating study abroad?

Budget

1. Please provide a basic budget for prospective students. What is the minimum needed to participate in the program?

Program Costs $___________

Housing $___________

Food $___________

Flight to Europe $___________

Transportation in town $___________

Books and materials $___________

Incidental expenses $___________

TOTAL $___________

2. How did you find the cost of living in Europe? What financial advice would you give prospective participants?

Practical Advice

1. List the three most important things that you wish someone had told you before leaving.

2.What special things did you discover during your stay that other students might profit from knowing?

Erimatge is beautiful. Bring a lot of good books and go out there and read or write or draw. It was built to provide a communion with nature. Cheesy as it is, it does.

3. Why would you encourage another student to consider studying abroad?

4.Why do you think that so few American students study abroad and what could the German Department or Study Abroad Office do to encourage students to study abroad.

5. Did you find any work or internship opportunities during your stay in Germany?