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Desperate to comply with within the footsteps of a faculty pupil who studied overseas in Germany? We just lately caught up with Grace from the College of Alabama, who did a examine overseas program within the capital metropolis of Berlin through the spring semester.
Uncover how Grace’s expertise with AIFS Overseas helped her advance her language expertise and journey Germany!
Selecting a Examine Overseas Program Vacation spot
Need to examine overseas however having issue selecting a vacation spot? Join with our crew—our examine overseas specialists may also help you decide the proper program!
As an Worldwide Research main and a German language minor who has household in Berlin, selecting a examine overseas metropolis was easy for Grace:
“I’ve household in Germany and Berlin, and AIFS was this system that [my home university] provided that caught out to me and appeared to have essentially the most advantages. I might 100% advocate AIFS and Berlin particularly. Town itself is beautiful and of all of the locations I traveled, by far my favourite. Our [Program Director] Nele can be phenomenal, which actually made the expertise that significantly better!”
Lecturers Overseas
Finding out overseas is a wonderful alternative to advance your studying in a very new setting whereas increasing your international perspective. Beneath, Grace explains her college expertise in Berlin:
“Freie Universität (FU) is a good college. It’s ranked effectively internationally and has nice educating workers which can be very educated, and I realized lots from them! FU has a number of campuses, which had been additionally very cool to go go to and see the totally different vibes in every place.”
Along with deepening your studying, your programs overseas are a terrific place to fulfill different college students:
“My lessons had been with a mixture of about 100 American college students. 17 of us had been in AIFS, so I bought to work together with them in school and totally different AIFS actions, however I additionally bought to fulfill individuals who had been direct enroll and had totally different experiences in this system and life. [By] speaking to them [I realized] AIFS actually spoiled us!”
Grace took a variety of lessons that contributed to her Worldwide Research main and German language proficiency. Right here’s what she considered her lessons in Berlin:
“I LOVED my German class, my professor was phenomenal and actually helped develop my information of the language. I additionally actually loved my management class, it was nice to find out how companies in numerous areas of Europe work and I feel that class relates greatest to what I need to do in my profession, so it was very useful!”
Language Studying
Some college students select to check overseas partially to advance their international language expertise, whereas others aren’t fascinated by studying a brand new language. No matter your language desire is, there are wonderful choices awaiting you with AIFS Overseas!
Grace explains that whereas she had some German language expertise earlier than finding out overseas, proficiency was not required for her program:
“It helped having a background within the German language, however I had a number of associates who had by no means realized German, they usually bought by simply nice. Most individuals converse English so if you actually need to speak it received’t be tough. No information of German was wanted however they positioned those who had earlier expertise in applicable lessons to proceed studying. Strive your greatest to study the language as it can enable you to get by, even simply the fundamentals on learn how to order or say easy phrases.”
Housing
Housing is included within the worth of all AIFS Overseas applications and choices fluctuate by program. For some applications, we provide upgraded housing choices, as Grace explains:
“I lived in a shared condo offered by AIFS for an additional charge, but it surely was so value it. The condo was within the good location, near the town middle however solely half-hour to campus, the neighborhood was good and I by no means felt threatened or uncomfortable (although most of Berlin is like that since it’s a secure metropolis usually). The roommate placement was good, and I actually created bonds with my roommate!”
Making Pals Overseas
Whilst you’re welcome to check overseas with associates from residence (the extra the merrier!), setting out by yourself is a incredible technique to make new associates throughout your program, as Grace did:
“I didn’t know anybody in this system earlier than making use of or arriving. I began out assembly my roommate, after which the ladies residing beneath us… It was very straightforward to make associates. You simply must be good to folks and begin out with small speak and the connections can come fairly simply after that. I met lots of people that I plan on retaining in contact with although all of us reside removed from one another—the connections had been sturdy!”
Cultural Appreciation
Examine and intern overseas applications place you in an thrilling worldwide metropolis the place you’ll be able to actually dive into the native tradition. Hear Grace describe how German (and European tradition typically) made a optimistic affect on her life:
“I actually loved the relaxed weekends that Europeans have typically. Germans particularly have very lax Sundays, and usually use it to destress, sip espresso, and luxuriate in walks in nature which I discovered very calming and helped to loosen up if the week earlier than was hectic. I’ll undoubtedly be doing this within the States; it was actually nice to not must do something besides take pleasure in what’s round you.”
Beneath, Grace describes her favourite cultural expertise:
“I feel the Easter markets in Germany had been my favourite cultural expertise. Some had been small, some had been large, however they had been stuffed with handmade gadgets, trinkets and recent produce. Individuals had been at all times laughing and smiling, and it was simply so nice to see folks so blissful and having fun with their area people.”
AIFS Overseas Excursions
AIFS Overseas applications embrace journeys and excursions that enrich your expertise and assist you to study extra about your host nation. Hear Grace element a few of her favourite AIFS Overseas excursions:
“My favourite exercise was both going to Dresden or the Spreewald forest! Dresden was an in a single day journey and I had a blast getting nearer to folks and having stricter occasions in addition to free time. Spreewald was such a cool expertise and if it’s provided, it’s a should. The city is lovable, and the boat tour was so enjoyable!”
Ultimate Ideas from Grace
To sum up her examine overseas expertise in Berlin, Grace stated the next:
“I actually loved AIFS in Berlin and it was really an incredible expertise. The actions, housing, advising, and total assist they gave actually made the change simpler and expertise as a complete higher. I might 100% advocate to anybody even desirous about it.”
Are you a pupil able to take the leap and examine overseas like Grace did in Berlin with AIFS Overseas? 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 school college students examine overseas. Our applications are extremely inclusive, which takes lots 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 workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in figuring out you’ll have assist all through your total expertise overseas.
