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Desirous to comply with within the footsteps of a school pupil who studied overseas in Germany and France? We just lately caught up with Annaliese from Augustana College, who participated in two AIFS Overseas examine overseas packages. She went to Berlin for the autumn semester after which to Grenoble the next spring semester.
Uncover how Annaliese’s two semesters overseas with AIFS Overseas helped form her profession and enhance her international language abilities.
Selecting a Examine Overseas Program Vacation spot & Time period
Many examine overseas college students have hassle selecting only one program vacation spot and time period. Annaliese got here up with an ideal answer to this drawback—she studied overseas for 2 semesters in two completely different nations! Hear why she selected to check overseas in Berlin and Grenoble:
“I selected these places for the extensiveness of the language programs. I might advocate these packages to college students who’re excited by language acquisition… I selected Berlin within the fall and Grenoble within the spring as a result of I needed to give attention to German [language] first.”
Teachers Overseas
While you examine overseas, you get to expertise a very new educational atmosphere. You possibly can be taught from professors with distinctive views, meet worldwide college students from world wide, and see how a distinct cultural context can make clear your research. Beneath, Annaliese describes her classroom expertise at Freie Universität in Berlin and the Université de Grenoble:
“I used to be all the time with different worldwide college students, however I completely liked attending to know the scholars in my courses, as generally German or French was our solely widespread language… I used to be in school each morning, and I had some afternoon courses, however I by no means had courses on Fridays… After I was in Berlin, we had class excursions each different Friday so our professor would present us round areas of Berlin that we wouldn’t usually see and clarify the historical past of sure neighborhoods.”
Language Studying
Some college students, like Annaliese, select to check overseas partially to advance their international language abilities, whereas others don’t wish to take any language programs overseas. Happily, AIFS Overseas doesn’t require you to talk or be taught one other language to check overseas—no matter your language desire is, we’ve got a program to fulfill your wants.
Beneath, Annaliese explains her expertise finding out and studying the language in each of her program locations:
“In Berlin, you possibly can come as a newbie, however for [my specific program in] Grenoble, we needed to know some French beforehand. My language abilities improved a lot, but it surely didn’t all the time really feel prefer it after I was in the course of the semester. In direction of the top, I noticed how a lot my abilities had improved since my first few courses. My recommendation could be to talk as a lot as attainable as a result of the extra you do it, the extra assured you get… I really feel prefer it gave my language levels some stage of legitimacy as a result of I lived there for lengthy sufficient to essentially take a look at my talents.”
Whether or not you strive new out new educational avenues or give attention to programs associated to your main, finding out overseas will help you achieve a greater thought of the place you wish to take your profession after graduating faculty. Hear Annaliese clarify how finding out overseas in Germany and France helped form her skilled future:
“[Studying abroad] has made me notice how a lot I really like languages, and now I’m pursuing a profession the place I’ve the chance to make use of my languages and be taught extra.”
Housing
Housing is included in all AIFS Overseas packages. Some packages, like Annaliese’s, provide the selection of a homestay—the proper alternative to apply your language abilities, as she explains:
“I lived with a bunch household in each places, and I feel it was the easiest way for full language immersion.”
Cultural Appreciation
Examine and intern overseas packages mean you can reside like an area in a global vacation spot—typically offering immersive cultural experiences that may proceed to form your life lengthy after you come dwelling. These adjustments could also be easy as opting to stroll extra and recognize your quick atmosphere, irrespective of the place you might be, as Annaliese explains:
“I liked public transport and the way a lot I used to be strolling. After I got here dwelling, I began occurring each day walks exterior of my regular exercises simply to chill out and benefit from the world round me.”
Consuming is a cultural expertise in and of itself. Each dish has its personal story and will help you be taught extra in regards to the native traditions, historical past, worldwide influences, and geography. Hear Annaliese describe her encounters with the scrumptious Turkish Döner, which could be discovered on numerous streets all through the German capital:
“I attempted any new meals I had the chance to. Döner in Berlin might be my favourite go-to fast meal.
For those who examine overseas in Germany through the fall semester, you possibly can go to the nation’s well-known Christmas markets, which aren’t solely a stupendous sight, but additionally a gastronomic delight—as Annaliese explains:
“One in all my favourite days was going to a couple completely different Christmas Markets with my host mother in Germany and attempting a bunch of latest meals.”
Why AIFS Overseas?
College students select AIFS Overseas for a large number of causes—our inclusive cultural and social actions, journeys and excursions that take you round your host nation and metropolis, in addition to our trusted program choices that provide distinctive cultural experiences and educational credit score. Many individuals, particularly those that are going overseas by themselves for the primary time, select AIFS Overseas as a result of they wish to have trusted on-site assist at their program vacation spot.
AIFS Overseas is well-known for our supportive on-site employees who’re there to fulfill you as quickly as you arrive at your program vacation spot. All through your program, they’re prepared to supply steering and assist everytime you want it. Beneath, Annaliese sums up her expertise with our on-site Program Administrators in Berlin and Grenoble:
“The on-site administrators had been completely phenomenal.”
Annaliese’s Examine Overseas Recommendation
For anybody who’s setting out on a examine or intern overseas journey, Annaliese gives the next recommendation:
“Learning overseas will convey up issues and challenges that you simply don’t anticipate. My recommendation is to maintain a optimistic mindset and be open to attempting new issues, but additionally to acknowledge once you’re drained and just be sure you take time to course of every little thing and recharge.”
Are you able to take the leap and examine overseas like Annaliese did in Berlin and Grenoble? We’d love that will help you begin your journey!
Right here at AIFS Overseas, we all know a factor or two about serving to faculty college students examine overseas. Our packages are extremely inclusive, which takes loads of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to offering issues like cultural and social actions, excursions, complete insurance coverage, 24/7 emergency assist, on-site employees, and extra, you’ll take consolation in figuring out you’ll have assist all through your total expertise overseas.
