Anybody who wants to learn another language, experience another country, or just have something to do over the summer that looks good on a resume should seriously consider studying abroad. It can also work towards a international studies minor. After everything is paid and the trip is over, $3000 is a good estimate for the total cost, including souvenirs and food.
The University of Illinois students at the airport. (Click to see all my pictures)
Not one bit. For the summer program, there is no language requirement. I had absolutely no language experience when I signed up for the program. Studying abroad for the semester is different, since the classes you take are in German. Also, if you are fluent in German, you can go as well. Look at the classes for more details.
The schedule is pretty booked. However, there are a few free weekends. Depending on which excursions you take, you can have a few free weekends. Many of the students had a free weekend towards the beginning of the 5 weeks, and we decided to go to Prague. We were on our own (that is, we went all by ourselves, and not apart of the school program.) and had a great time. The schedule is fairly busy other than that. You usually have three or four days each week to do whatever you want.
You get 3 hours of credit for a language class, and 3 hours of credit for a culture class.
The language class meets on weekdays for about 4 hours each day. I assume this class is just like any other German language class that you would take during a semester at U of I, except it goes a little quicker considering you meet every day. The language portion is divided into 4 classes, ranging from little or no experience to basically fluent. No matter what previous experience you have with the German language, you will be put into a class with people of the same level.
The culture hours are not as much of a "class." When you get accepted to the program, you sign up for required excursions. These excursions are lectures, trips, and tours which are designed to just teach more about the culture of Germany. There are no tests or homework. The requirement is to show up. They are very easy, but at the same time very informative.
You are set up with a host family throughout the stay. I believe they are required to provide laundry services. They don't have to do it, but it has to be available to you. Most of the families speak English very well, but the ones that can't usually get matched up with students that are more familiar with the language.
My host family and I. (Click to see all my pictures)
We had a total of about 50-60 students in the program. 9 of use were from U of I, and the rest of the students were from various colleges, including Virginia Tech and WPI in New York.
The whole group at Frankfurt. (Click to see all my pictures)
Get a calling card or plan to get a cell phone while abroad to keep in touch
with your parents back home.
(Your parents will worry about you.
You're in a different country.)
When you first arrive abroad, make sure you know what your options are for
transportation. Also, make sure you know when the specific trains and
busses stop running.
(It's not very fun to end up stranded
far away from your house past midnight when your only option is to pay $20 for a
cab home)
Bring a gift for your host family.
(You don't know them very well at
first, but they're volunteering to take care of you while you study over there.
That deserves a present in
my book.)
There is much more advice that I can't think of right now, but if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask me through e-mail.
You can visit the IPENG website at http://www.engr.uiuc.edu/international.
To learn more you can ask me specific questions by e-mailing me at kschmitt@uiuc.edu.
Also, you can contact IPENG by emailing ipeng@uiuc.edu or visiting the office at 210A Engineering Hall