Grant Whiting
Berlin: FUBIS Program
July 19-August 19, 2003

Program and Preparation for Study Abroad
1. Where and when did you study abroad? (Which program ?)

-Freie Universitaet Berlin Summer Institute in Berlin, Germany which lasted from July 19, 2003- August 19, 2003.

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

-I had two years of college equivalent German.

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

-My major is Political Science and International Studies, and I think that foreign languages are a necessity to being successful in my studies. Therefore, German and particularly studying in a German speaking country was very helpful in pursuing such an education.

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

-I had no foreign contacts before studying abroad.

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

-I was content with the courses I took.

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

-I would have felt more comfortable if my German was more polished, but it certainly was sufficient.

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 classes were small, with no more than fifteen people in each. There were about 125 students in the entire program, and most of them were other foreigners. There were 25 Americans and the rest were non-natives. The teachers were very qualified and interested in each of the students' progress. I was very satisfied with my instructors. Berlin is an incredible city and made that whole thing more than worth while. The only problem was that the program was a relatively short and I didn't have a lot of contact with native speakers. There were a lot of scholarships available that were easy to get, so that was certainly a plus.

2. What were the strongest aspects of the program?

-Berlin Berlin Berlin Berlin Berlin. And meeting all kinds of people from all over the world. I have so many friends from across the globe now and I am very happy about it.

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

-I wish it was longer, but there's little that can be done about that. Although next year there are going to be two sessions. So I suppose there is something that can be done about that.

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 an apartment with four roommates; three girls from England, Greece, and Scotland, and another American guy. We spoke German together, but English was most widely used unfortunately. There were cooking facilities, a T.V. and a bar in the apartment building.

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

-I bought a cell phone there in German. It was a good experience.

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

-I wish I had traveled to Prague on a weekend. 

Location

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

-Berlin has everything. I went to some awesome underground shows, some really cool bars, and as many soccer games as possible (a German soccer match is the best sporting event on the planet). The public transportation was easy to use. The city was safe and interesting, with a rich history and a lot to see. The museums and galleries are incredible and walking around Kreuzberg or Prenzlauerberg is so much fun. I can't say enough about this city.

Travel

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

-I only traveled to Weimar, and it was pretty boring. I didn't really travel much because I spent all my time exploring Berlin. Although I also wasn't there for very long. There are, however, a lot of places in the general region to visit.

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 am still taking German and plan to continue until I am out of college.

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

-I had to apply retroactively for the credits, but since you have to pay a ridiculous fee to get the credit transferred, I am not even sure I am going to have them transferred. Let me stress how ridiculous this fee is. I have to give NU over $500 for doing absolutely nothing at all in order to transfer the credits. I believe this is known as extortion. Ridiculous!

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

-They didn't really change.

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

-Do it, and if you can resist Paluch's insistence that you don't go to Berlin, go to Berlin. If you do go somewhere else, make an effort to visit Berlin for as long as possible.

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

Program Costs:
Housing:
Food: Pretty cheap if you do it right. 100 Euro
Flight to Europe:
Transportation in town: $30 a month...or just jump on the trains and watch out for controllers.
Books and materials: Included in tuition
Incidental expenses: What does this mean? I'll say 50,000 shekels.

TOTAL: Without scholarships it will probably cost about $1500-2000.

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

-It's very cheap. Shop for groceries in penny markets.

Practical Advice

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

-A laptop will be useless, Germany has no air conditioners and there are no screens on the windows, and go to the Pergamon Museum twice and as many soccer matches as possible.

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

-Hang out in Kreuzberg, especially in the Turkish section. There are some awesome shops and some killer record stores. Also, make sure you go Prenzlauerberg. That is where all the kids hang out. Also, you can go all the way to the top of the Berliner Dome and walk around outside. So pay the three euros and make the trek up all those stairs, because it really is totally worth it.

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

-Simply put, it is so much fun.

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 have no idea. What can you really do about national-centrism? Lobby elementary schools to start encouraging students interests in study abroad.

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

-I got an opportunity to work with my Global Politics professor and there were other jobs available at the university.