Germany : Reviews (Berlin)
The following program review responses have been selected for publication by Study Abroad & Global Engagement
Rate Your Study Abroad Program!
Summer 2024 Participant
I really enjoyed the freedom I was given. My favorite moments would be exploring the alps with my classmates on the weekends, or hanging out with the local dance club (Trachtenverein) during the week.
Summer 2024 Participant
My favorite part of the program was talking to and doing things with my host family, I had a wonderful time with them throughout the trip.
Summer 2024 Participant
I loved the group outings we took together. These outings not only provided us with more cultural and educational context regarding our classroom topics, but they also provided us with more opportunities to get to know each other!
Summer 2025 Participant
I love our program director, Andrea Meyertholen. She has a passion for all her students to do well, and her classes certainly improve your German. I also loved going to cultural events with the other people on the trip, because I got to know interesting people, get exposed to new ideas and hobbies, and make incredible memories.
Summer 2025 Participant
My favorite part of this program was traveling for the first two weeks and learning how to communicate with people in German.
Summer 2025 Participant
My favorite part of this program was experiencing life with a host family. I learned so much about conversational German and everyday culture that I otherwise would have been locked out of under other living arrangements. A lifelong bond and friendship was created!!
Summer 2026 Participant
My favorite part of the program was the travel portion at the beginning of the program. Since we took tours and visited many museums all around Germany, I felt that we learned as much as we would have in a German history or culture course; however, since we were given a lot of freedom, it did not feel like a class.
Summer 2023 Participant
Living with a host family that only spoke German, really allowed me to grow quickly with my German skills. I think that in itself, while scary, was very rewarding.
Summer 2024 Participant
I found that the connections made and conversations had with my host parents were the most rewarding aspect of the program. They were incredibly patient and kind, and I look forward to continuing to communicate with them well into the future!
Summer 2024 Participant
I think the program did a great job of filling a good amount of our time with educational events. For example, we traveled to many historical sites, museums, etc. I think that I learned a lot and it was extremely rewarding to leave the trip knowing that it was a real educational experience.
Summer 2025 Participant
Through my time in Germany, I saw huge personal growth in language production and comprehension - which are the two skills I had been struggling with improving on my own in the states.
Summer 2026 Participant
I found speaking with my host family to be the most rewarding part of the program. My conversational German skills improved greatly over the course of the program. In particular, my speaking ability is much better than before and I am now able to hold a conversation over most topics entirely in German .
Summer 2024 Participant
My speaking confidence greatly improved, and I experienced culture on a greater scale than what is possible on a vacation.
Summer 2024 Participant
Two months is a lot of time. Do not feel pressured to travel every day. Having a routine and spending time with your host family gives a more nuanced perspective that is totally different from the typical tourist perspective.
Summer 2024 Participant
I think it's important to get out and try and do things during the program, as although you are there for a decent chunk of time, it does fly by and you would be remiss in not taking full advantage of the opportunities given by this program.
Summer 2024 Participant
It is extraordinarily tiring. You need to manage your time well and be prepared for how tiring the trip is mentally and physically. Do not go into this experience with any inclination that it is some sort of vacation or anything like that.
Summer 2025 Participant
I learned what my weaknesses were in the German language, and that gave me a leg up to take my German to the next level.
Summer 2025 Participant
I learned to not be afraid to speak German with German people. They're not going to make fun of you just because your German isn't perfect.