Diana Bieniewski
Fulda: August 2003
1. Where and when did you study abroad? (Which program ?)
Fulda, in August 2003
2. How much German did you know before you left for Europe?
I had taken 200 level classes at NU before leaving.
3. What was your major and how did German fit in with your overall academic plans?
My major was MMSS with a minor in German Business.
4. What foreign contacts did you have before studying abroad?
I had not contacts in Germany. I was going blind, except for the contact info from the course I was to be attending.
5. Which courses do you wish you had taken before leaving for Europe?
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6. How do you feel you could better have prepared yourself for your study abroad experience?
I did not feel unprepared in any way.
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 administration in Fulda was very serious about how the program should be run. We were assigned a course and then we had to choose 2 seminars to attend and 1 workshop. This workshop was the only fun activity planned for the week. Other than that, each teacher assigned a lot of homework. There were 4 groups for 60 students. One beginner, one intermediate, one advanced German and one which was only a DSH-Pruefung preparation course. In the advanced class, we had to write 3 essays and give 3 oral presentations.
2. What were the strongest aspects of the program?
At the start of the program, there was a get-to-know-you picknik with games and at the end there was a closing ceremony with presentations from all of the workshops and a disco at the end. I participated in the "Black Theater" workshop and I think that was the best part of the whole month!
3. Where do you feel the study abroad program needs improvement?
For a summer program, it was all a little too serious for me.
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 in a Studentenwohnheim with 3 other girls in the program. It was nice because I got to practice my German outside of the classroom. All 4 of us had a huge room and a kitchen and bathroom to share. Everything was clean and easy to use. We had no t.v. but some kids living in other dorms did. In the building where we lived, there were also a few other students, so it was a great atmosphere.
5. Describe a memorable experience where you made effective use of your German.
Well, I got a new piercing in Germany and I had to use my German for that!
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?
Fulda is a small city about 1.5 hours north of Frankfurt (Main). The town is very clean and safe, and it struck me as extremely quiet and peaceful. The downtown, or Zentrum, consists of one street with everything from shopping to discos and movie theaters. Just past this Zentrum is a nice, big pool. Despite its small population, everything is very spaced out&emdash;many a time I felt like I was walking for a long time without really getting anywhere.
Travel
What were the most memorable and valuable trips which you took during your stay abroad?
The program organized 4 excursions for us: Weimar, Frankfurt(Main), Bacharach (Stadt am Rhein), and Berlin. Berlin cost 15 euro, but all the other trips cost a mere 10 euro.
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 plan to continue on with the 380 series toward my German Business minor.
2. How did you get credit for the academic work you did in Europe?
I had to talk with Frau Franciska Lys in order to determine if I could receive any credit. Then I had to talk to my WCAS advisor and pay a study abroad fee.
3. How did your academic plans change, if at all, after you returned to Northwestern?
I am considering changing my minor to a German major.
4. What advice would you have for students contemplating study abroad?
It is definitely worthwhile to study abroad in a foreign country, even if it is only for a month in the summer. It makes it so much easier to learn the language when you are immersed in it. Also, these summer programs are incredibly interesting because you interact with people from all over the world in a language that everyone is learning together.
Budget
1. Please provide a basic budget for prospective students. What is the minimum needed to participate in the program?
Program Costs 800
Euro________
Housing included
in program cost_________
Food _________
Flight to Europe $900_________
Transportation in town
________
Books and materials $0_________
Incidental expenses $___________
TOTAL $___________
2. How did you find the cost of living in Europe? What financial advice would you give prospective participants?
Food in Germany is a lot cheaper than here in the US. Grocery shopping, therefore, is the most frugal and all housing comes with a kitchen, so your meals are covered. Also, all universities have a cafeteria where you can buy full meals for about 1.5 Euro.
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?
Don't forget your dictionary.
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.
I think it's hard to get American students to study abroad because most countries are really far away from here and also, many students need to find work or internships and since language study isn't emphasized in the U.S. students don't feel that studying abroad is worth their time
5. Did you find any work or internship opportunities during your stay in Germany?
I didn't look.