David Feder

B.A. Medieval History, June 2001

Universität Göttingen

Göttingen, Niedersachsen, Deutschland in August 2001

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

1 year of German (senior year at NU) .

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

My major was medieval history. That was my initial motivation for learning German. I since have realized that medieval history is no longer in my future and I would like to pursue international relations. Of course, a working knowledge of German undoubtedly will enhance my profile. ring,

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

Zero foreign contacts.

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

I wish I had taken more German and international. relations classes.

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

I don't think I could have been better prepared. You just need a positive attitude and the patience to realize that, while not everything works out the way you want at the beginning, everything will eventually work out. It is really easy to get lost in these programs but you must ask questions and realize that the other teilnehmerIn are in the same boat as you.

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 was very good overall. Of course, it was my first such experience so my basis for judgement is based solely on what I found in Gàttingen. I thought the communal aspect of the program was excellent. There was something to do everyday (cooking classes, sports groups, a group newspaper, excursions, etc.). There was also a concerted effort to integrate everyone. To this aim, we had numerous parties and social gatherings. Of course, we were forced to speak German with one another (there was only one other American in the course). The classes, however, needed some improvement. There were about 15 people in each class, which I thought was a good size. I think 120 students participated in the program. Most of the teachers were non-native German speakers which I found troublesome, although my Russian-born German teacher was wonderful. The primary drawback of the class was the stark difference between students from Europe/West and Asia. Apparently, the teaching styles of language professors vary greatly from East to West. My class was made up of 2 Americans, an Italian, and a Pole. The rest came from Hong Kong, Korea, and, especially, Japan. While some exceptions existed, the majority of the Asian students tended to be quiet and could not understand the teacher. This slowed down the class. They could read and interpret better than the Westerners but their language skills were severely underdeveloped. Again, it is a contrast in teaching/eductional styles. But it did bring down the rest of us who were more capable speakers.

2. What were the strongest aspects of the program?

Strongest aspect: the strong sense of social comraderie. We really had a good time and Göttingen is a pretty cool, self-contained college town.

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

The program obviously needs better criteria for forming the classes. The Asian/Western split really hurt.

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 housing was good. Within walking distance (though I rented a bike). Four bedroom dorm flat with one common kitchen/dining room. Rather stark. Kitchen fully stocked with plates, silverware, cleaning implements. Sheets included. No towels!! No TV (bring books!). I lived with one Korean girl who was in the highest level class, a Japanese girl in my class, and another Japanese girl in a lower class. We all spoke German to each other and I may have learned more German in my dorm than in the class. At least I had the opportunity to practice my German at home...especially with the Korean girl.

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

Memorable experience: Just going to bars and striking up conversations with German people. They want to talk to you if you show a willingness to speak German with them. And they will help you, correct you, and, inevitably, ask you to address them with the du-form. I spoke one night for three hours with this woman from Rostock. She could speak almost no English, yet we talked politics (even though I knew nothing about German politics).

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

I really regret nothing. I took advantage of everything I could and I don't think I missed out on anything.

Location

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

Göttingen: great college town, restaurants, bars stay open late, most things are affordable, small museums, at least 4 theaters, lovely countryside surrounding it, not far from Hannover or Kassel, very centrally located in Germany, good bus transportation, ICE train stop, the 'altestadtfest' is in August (think: little German Mardi Gras), the best DöNER sandwiches in all of Europe (so far), only drawbacks are that it is not a big city so you can run out of things to do I suppose...but there always seemed to be enough for us

Travel

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

I really didnt do much traveling on my own. I knew I would be in Europe for 10 months and that I had done the backpacker thing before so I took it easy, tried to consider myself a student rather than a tourist. That being said, the program took me to Kassel, the VW Factory in Wolfsburg, the Màringen KZ, and Goslar. I also went to Hannover for an overnight stay

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?

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

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

GO!!! I have been in Europe for 2 and a half months now. I studied German for one school year at NU. When I left, I had graduated a month and a half earlier and had not even thought about a German word during that time. But now, I can talk to anybody and describe anything. The only way to do this is to be there. You have to be forced to talk. Go to Europe and study! I did not go during my college career (aside from a summer program in Prague) and it is my biggest college regret. Go for a full year.

 

Budget

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

 

All budget and housing costs are on the website for the program. Food: maybe $1.50 for lunch everyday at the Mensa, then you are on your own for dinner Flight: Varies Transportation: I rented a bike for about $80 for the month and it was worth every penny (I got it at the train station, VeloVoss was the name I think) Books/Materials: No more than $30 Incidental: No more than, oh, about $1000 (travels, social outings, beer, food, beer)...this is entirely up to you though... Germany is on the whole cheaper than the U.S., especially because their economy is in the tank. Eat cheap, ask about the more inexpensive supermarkets. But be willing to spend some cash. After all, when are you going to get this chance again? So save up like I did (by working at the Lucky Platter).

 

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

I found the cost of living in Germany to be very reasonable.  The dollar is very strong now and at the peak of the summer one dollar was equivalent to DM 2.3.  It was as though everything was about half the cost of that in the US.  The one exception is the Deutsche Bahn, which is just as expensive, if not more than the trains in the US.  I highly recommend buying a student rail pass before leaving the US.  They are considerably cheaper if you plan on doing a lot of travel and they can only be purchased in the US.

Practical Advice

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

Important things: I really feel like I was prepared to go. No one could have told me anything that I wouldn't have found out on my own. Bring materials like a good dictionary and a grammar book. Wouldn't be a bad idea to bring your German text book. Other than that, though, just be patient. Oh, and bring lots of good books. You will need them here.

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

Special things: Southern Europeans are a lot of fun. If you are the social type, make friends with the Spaniards and Italians.

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

Its the only way to learn a language and it beats sitting in Evanston for a semester. Really though, it is the opportunity of a lifetime. The perspectives you learn by dealing with people of other cultures/nationalities on a daily basis are invaluable. That, more than anything including the language lessons, was the best part of the experience. You can learn far more things from Vincente from Madrid than Vince from Iowa.

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

I think we are told from day 1 that getting into a good college is the most important step in an education. Once we achieve this level, we resign ourselves to completing our college education. What we fail to realize is, that while a university is supposed to offer a comprehensive educational opportunity, the peculiarities of international culture can only be appreciated and absorbed when you leave the American university setting.

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

No work or internships