Tara Templin

University of Bremen Uni June 19- July 14, 2000
Technische Universität Ilmenau July 22 to August 12, 2000

Basically, I would strongly recommend the Bremen Program, the Ilmenau program was still good, but not as good because the city is pretty much completely deserted during the summer and the course load is not as rigorous. But I learned an amazing amount of German this summer, especially at the Bremen program. I though it was also a little bit better organized.

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

Bremen June 23 through the middle of July and Ilmeanu from the middle of July to the middle of August

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

2 years of German at Northwestern

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

German is my major and the two summer programs fit in perfect with my academic plans, (so long as the credit transfer works out)

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

none

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

I feel I was as prepared as I could be... maybe an international politics class

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?

Bremen was a great experience, well organized and I learned an incredible amount of German. It was all international students and I think that helped a lot because I was forced to speak German and there were students at both my level and at higher levels so that I could learn from them too. The teacher that I had was super and really demanded that we be in class everyday. There was also an option to take either a literature course or politics course after the intensive grammer section. I learned a lot from that too. The Bremen program offered something to do everyday, so we were never really left with nothing to do, from cooking classes to movies every week.

The only negative thing about the program is that Bremen is very cold and the weather leaves much to be desired.

The weather in Ilmenau was also not so good, but the city is really cute, if not a little too deserted in the Summer.

2. What were the strongest aspects of the program?

The grammar lesson that we had everyday was an intensive three hours and was so timed that we had a break when we needed it and did not have the opportunity to get bored.

In Ilmenau all the students were split up into 6 different groups, so that you could really concentrate on the german grammar areas that needed improvement.

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

The Ilmenau Program could be a little bit more enthusiastic about promoting the planned activities. They had activities everyday, but very few people attended them because no one really knew what was going on.

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?

The host family that I had in Bremen was great, They really made an effort to engage me in conversation and help me with my german. They were always wanting to have coffee and cake on the porch.

In Ilmenau I lived in a student dormitory, but i think iIwould have had a better experience if I would have stayed with a host family.

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

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

Location

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

Bremen is really close to Hamburg and relatively close to Berlin so it was easy to travel to those places. However the weather in Bremen was miserable the entire time. When it was not raining it was 8 degrees Celcius. in July.

Travel

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

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?

I want to continue taking German and German Literature courses and would really like to take a couple international politic courses.

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

I have not yet.

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?

I think it is important to the study abroad experience to try and spend as much time as you can in the place where you are studying. I found that by spending my money on the cultural activities in one city, I really got to know the city and got an idea of how the people live there. If you travel every weekend that you are free, then you never really get that feeling of belonging in the city you are at.

Plan carefully and develop a liking for not understanding what is going on around you.

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?

The cost of living in Germany is quite a bit cheaper than in America, especially chicago. However, it becomes dangerous when you start dividing everything by half then telling yourself that you can buy it because it is cheaper here then in America.

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?

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

A budget is important to consider

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.

It is simply expensive to study abroad and the paperwork and decision making takes a lot of time a way from your couse work. I think anything that could be used to narrow down the choices would be helpful.

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

Yes, I am interning at the international office at the Technical University in Berlin