Type of housing: With a family

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: With a family

Why? Living with a family provided a glimpse into the everyday culture that I was looking for. If a student is searching for an experience that can teach them about a diffferent culture, the best advice I can offer is to immerse yourself as fully as possible in that culture.

Personal comments:
I enjoyed eating, speaking and traveling with my family while in Berlin. Stories were exchanged, viewpoints were argued and a deeper understanding of two different cultures was achieved through my time in a home stay. My personal opinion is that living with other American students during my time abroad would have been a waste of time because it is too easy to slip back into what you know. One of the main reasons a student should study abroad is to broaden their horizons. Living with a family in Berlin did that for me.

Describe host city: Students interact with the local community without much university involvement

Activities, Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Personal comments:
Since Berlin was a city in flux back in 1996, I am quite sure most of the local hotspots are no longer there. And even though the Berlin Wall was down long before I landed in Berlin, the city was still very divided. My vote? Hang out in the former East Berlin as much as possible. More character, cooler bars, better locals with better stories and better nightclubs. Definatly hit some techno clubs (E-Werk was the spot when I was there).

Course recommendations:
My courses were predetermined and lasted only 6 weeks. They included an economic history of Germany, Unification Issues, Life in Cold War East Berlin and introductory German language classes. It is best to try and immerse yourself in the host language as quickly as possible. I found it hard to talk with locals becuase they wanted to speak in English as soon as they heard my American accent. All courses on German history during the Cold War are fascinating. Berlin provides the best possible "city as classroom" opportunity I can think of. Locals can still tell you first hand stories of life during and after the Cold War.

Personal comments:
none

Language of instruction: English

Main source of funding:
Family

Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
Credit Cards

Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work

Personal spending habits:
I spent more money on personal things like shopping and telephone calls to family and friends. Most students could avoid these costs. I spent more money on travel bcause I was in a region of the world that I was not planning on returning to for a long time. I took advantage of my location and was happy to spend the money for a once in a lifetime experience.

Food, Travel, Overall, Telephone: was more expensive than at home.

Nightlife, Housing: was the same price as at home.

I wish I had known...
Expect to feel homesick even of you are an experienced traveler. Do not hold back from new experiences. If possible, plan your study abroad for at least one year. It takes a good deal of time to get comfortable with the basics like transportation, cool places to go, people to hang out with, etc. Leave yourself enought time to really settle in and don't wish the time away.

In my opinion:
Most people loved it.