Leo Lopes
Bayreuth
September 2001

Program and Preparation for Study Abroad

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

Bayreuth IIK, 9/01

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

4 quarters + Kaffeestunde + lots of reading

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

I'm a Ph.D. student and german is not particularly relevant for my work.

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

Lots of foreign contacts.

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

I wish I had completed at least the intermediate german series.

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

I could have had a pocket grammar book.

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 fantastic. It did a great job in every aspect, and it was also a lot of fun. There were only about 10 students per class at most, only 60 total. The teachers were great, the trips were great, everything was great. The administrative functions seemed a bit disorganized at times.

2. What were the strongest aspects of the program?

Very well planned and executed, the teachers were great, and the activities were excellent.

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

In my book it gets an A+.

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?

It was a dormlike setting, brand new. Individual rooms, 6 rooms for each kitchen. There were meeting places for each building, but no one used it. There was no TV or radio (you can buy them cheap at the flea markets inBayreuth). If you look for opportunities to speak german, there are plenty.

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

In Berlin, chatted all night with a lovely german girl who didn't speak a drop of english...

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

I wish I had the opportunity to understand a little of the way people do business there. Things like: are the employees reliable, what is the taxation system, how much burearucaracy is there to get the basic things businesses need to do everyday done; How often do you have to deal with bureaucrats and how much power they have. These are things that speak a lot about peoples and countries.

Location

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

The advantages were that it was small, and right in the middle ofgermany, about 3 hours from any big city (Nurnberg is only 1 hour). The disadvantages are the same.

Travel

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

Many. Dresden, Munich, Fussen, Stuttgart, Nurnberg, Berlin... Dresden in particular, which was a trip within the program.

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 would love to take more courses but I simply do not have time.

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

No.

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

They did not change.

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

Just Do it! You absolutely can't beat it. What you'll learn, experience, and enjoy you can't get any other way, especially for the price.

Budget

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

Program Costs $__550____
Housing $___Incl.________
Food $__<100_________
Flight to Europe $___800________
Transportation in town $___Incl.________
Books and materials $__Incl._________
Incidental expenses $__200_________
TOTAL $__1700

My other expenses:

Bike Rental: $20
Parties and going out: $100
Travel throughout germany:$400

TOTAL $___2100________

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

Rents are cheaper but very very small. Food can be cheaper if you're careful. Entertainment is a lot cheaper. Beer and Wine are cheap. As for financial advice, I'd suggest opening a Citibank account. There are Citibanks in almost every town (make sure there is one where you're going) and you can just go to the ATM and get money in Marks (Euros now) without paying any fees. It is a lot more practical than traveler's checks. Always have cash on you. Credit cards are not widely accepted.

Practical Advice

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

1. Don't count on services being very good.
2. Be aware of the Jealousy: East x West; My Town x Your Town; Germany x France, etc... People are often provincial that way.
3. People are easily approachable in Bars, Sports Places, in the train, etc...

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

Item 3 from the previous question ranks high.

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

THere is simply nothing else you can do for the money that is as enriching. That is in addition to improving your language skills tremendously.

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.

American Students are carreer-focused to a fault. Maybe if it were shown to them how studying abroad enhances their general skills in addition to their language skills they would be more interested.

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

Didn't look.