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STUDY ABROAD EVALUATION
Evaluating your period of study abroad is one of the most valuable services you can render Middlebury College and future students
wishing to study abroad, and it is one of the most important ways you can help us maintain the highest possible standards. For this
reason, until this form is submitted to Off-Campus Study, transfer credit for students who participated on non-Middlebury programs
will not be processed, and a hold will be placed on official Middlebury transcript requests for Middlebury College students who
participated on Middlebury Schools Abroad. Please note: If you studied abroad for two semesters on two different programs, you
must submit two separate evaluations.
The staff of Off-Campus Study would welcome the opportunity to hear about your experiences abroad; please feel free to stop by or
call and talk with us!
Please complete and return this as an e-mail attachment to the Office of Off-Campus Study: OffCampusStudy@middlebury.edu
Handwritten evaluations will not be accepted.
Your name___________________________ Home institution__Middlebury_________________________________
Class ______
Major(s)German____________________________________________________________________________________
______
Country in which you studied Germany
Host UniversityFreie Universität Berlin CityBerlin
US sponsor (if different from host university)
Period of study abroad: From10/05—03/06 To Year
Evaluation of personal learning
Given that overseas educational systems differ significantly from ours, please reflect on your adjustment
to your host country's educational environment. In what ways did you benefit from being in a different
academic environment?
(Note: This box will expand as necessary.)
I really don’t care about the Freie Universtität. I thought the education system in Germany (from my limited
experience) was full of either people who didn’t care or people who were very very full of themselves, and the
professors weren’t much better. Although I did have one professor and course that was actually pretty cool. For
the most part it was kind of funny how many trees there were but how little forest actually came out…the style
was unsatisfying and I am 100 percent assured that I would have gotten more out of my stay if I had done my
studies completely independently. If you are considering going abroad, consider this carefully. I didn’t bother to
do any research beforehand so I suffered, but you need a clear idea before you go over there. Mostly it was a big,
stress-generating free-for-all that I will be more than happy not to repeat.
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How has study abroad influenced your understanding of your host culture? In what ways has it
influenced your perceptions of American culture?
I’ve learned that I despise studying in the framework of a university. But that’s how Germany is—structure,
structure, structure, and then some rules. And guidelines. To make you hate yourself, naturally. Or make you
subdue to their stupid little system so they can lower your self-esteem even more than they already have. But
I’m not being negative about it. Take advantage of what you have in Middlebury! America’s not as bad as those
brainwashed liberal would-be’s would have you think it is!
In what ways has study abroad contributed to your personal growth? What were the personal qualities
you found most useful during your time abroad?
I’ve learned that I am actually really really intelligent and very good at what I do as a linguist. I am a gifted
linguist, and that is something I was never able to exercise as a child, so I always felt bad about my B’s in math.
I hated myself. But then I went to Europe and learned to forget about some of my childhood trauma, and now I
feel fine! I eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, get enough water and exercise and no longer am addicted to
hard drugs.
How has study abroad influenced your academic and career goals? How has it influenced your personal
goals?
I have decided to become a polyglot and expand my creative capacities as a writer. The university was so
dissatisfying that I wrote short stories almost every single day to put out the extreme pangs of boredom and
stress that I experienced, and produced some very very coherent and good literature. Maybe studying at the F.U.
will help you too develop your creative talents in new exciting ways!
Evaluation of level of integration
Please comment on how successful you were in integrating into your host culture with regard to the
following (please give details; e.g., what type of housing situation you chose, in what activities you
participated, etc.). Also comment on which was most valuable in helping you to integrate into your host
culture and why, and what strategies worked best in helping you to integrate.
a) classes:
for the most part, lame. Being in class with these people made me write short stories in my notebook
and look for exciting new terms in my German dictionary, such as mad cow disease (Rinderwahnsinn)
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and the idiomatic expression Ich lebe wie eine Made im Speck (I’m living like a maggot in lard).
Overall I was disappointed, but I don’t know what I expected in the first place.
b) housing:
whatever you do, do not get stuck in these crappy accommodations. The Studentenwohnheim in West
Charlottenburg looks like a hospital, and it makes you feel just as depressed. Germans are very orderly
and lead closed lives for the most part, so don’t think that living in a dorm will let you into their
wonderful, exciting respective worlds. If you think you make friends there, think again—they probably
don’t care much about you in reality, as they all have tightly knit groups of friends and you are not
likely to break through these barriers. I also had a homosexual relationship with one of my hall mates,
but he was dead-set on becoming a German despite his Moldovan heritage, and he made sure to tell me
that it would have never worked out anyway. Besides, I left unclean bowls in the sink…he was right all
along.
c) extra-curricular activities (please list):
I had my work-out routine, and I found that the Stadtbad Charlottenburg was a good place to get into
good swimming shape. Berlin is a great place to run, and I am pretty hardcore at it. I liked to walk and
get lost in the city too…Berlin is a great place to do that. I spent a lot of money in cafes just sitting
there and dreaming, too.
d) other (e.g., internship, independent projects, work, etc.):
anything I like to do creatively obviously doesn’t count, so don’t pay attention to what I write anyway.
As the director made sure to tell me, “you’re not stable.”
Evaluation of language learning (if on a program in a non-English speaking country)
What was the language of the host culture? German, Turkish
What kind of progress did you make in the different components of language study (aural
comprehension, reading, writing, and speaking)?
Well, I spoke German, and found I made huge progress going to bars and just talking to people. People were
impressed with my German, saying that my accent was only slight and that I had a very fluent grip of the
language (for just 2.5 years, I think that’s good). But I’m a gifted linguist, so maybe you won’t make the same
progress. The other Middkids that went all kind of hung out together and seemed really irritated that they might
have to speak a little bit of German. But I’m sure they all got good grades on their papers because they’re just so
AMAAAAZING! Like totally!
Evaluation of program/university and study abroad experience overall
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Did your host institution/program provide you with adequate information prior to departure, an
appropriate orientation on arrival, and sufficient support while you were there? Was it accurately
presented in its brochures and correspondence? Please comment.
I guess they did, but I like to learn as I go along, so I really didn’t pay as much attention as I should
have. It probably stems from some psychological problems that I have, like my fear of authority and
filling out paperwork. But if you like paperwork and authority, this is your kind of program!
Was the Resident Director/International Officer competent, effective, and helpful? Was s/he
approachable and concerned about your general well-being and success? Please comment.
I felt her very very attentive—in fact, too attentive. I felt pressured and taxed to the very limit. And then
some. Also, I think she used discouragement to motivate me, which really made it worse for me. If you’re
type A, Heike is the director for you!
Would you recommend that other students attend this program or university? Yes No
Why or why not?
No. Because if you are interested in learning German, just go abroad on your own. You will find a whole new
side of yourself regardless of your stupid stay at that stupid university that they all take soooo seriously. Self-
righteous careerists is what they are. If you really care about language, if you really care about learning
something, do it on your own. I wasn’t allowed to do anything I wanted because it didn’t comply with
Middlebury Standards. You know what? Do it by yourself. Take a year off, go to a German speaking country
and just enjoy yourself. Find a job, enroll in a private language course (it will be much less expensive) and do
what is best for you. That is, if you care about more than just getting your credits and running in the other
direction. But get out of the U.S.—it is something that you will always regret if you don’t. Take a year off! But I
will never study in Europe again. I felt very unloved.
What advice would you give to other students considering study abroad in general, and this program or
university in particular?
Take a year off and have an adventure on your own! You don’t need these people!
Did you see or experience any form of discrimination in your host country? What advice would you give
future students regarding these issues?
I found homosexuality pretty openly accepted here, so that was the plus about Berlin. Be careful of the bars,
though, as they are full of people with H.I.V. In fact, there is a huge problem about that here in Berlin. And
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Germans are kind of weird anyway, so don’t be surprised if you have to have many stupid conversations if you
are out in the clubs. But at least there are clubs—hundreds of them! It is like San Francisco of Europe—have
fun, but stay safe! Just don’t get too depressed when you come back to Vermont…that is, if you have the
misfortune of being gay. We all know how much Middlebury loves gay people!
[NB: It would be helpful to future students if you would like to contribute a page of reflections on what it meant to be a woman
studying abroad and/or a member of a minority (ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, etc.) in your host country. Be sure to indicate
the country you studied in and your own gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and/or religious affiliation, as appropriate (these
comments will be made available to interested students).]
Evaluation of academics
Are there any particular academic strengths of your host university/program that you would recommend
to other students?
No
Please list the courses you took, including what level (intro/upper/seminar), and comment on each one (if
you did an independent study project or internship, please describe):
[Please keep in mind that overseas educational systems operate according to different systems of values than
those that govern U.S. systems of education.]
Course Information Comments
1) Course title: Describe course content:
Geothe und der Islam Reading this book of poetry called ‘der west-östliche
Course level (intro/upper/seminar): Divan’
Upper literary seminar, I think
Means of assessment (e.g., papers, exams,
homework, etc.):
Evaluate course:
I wrote this big, massive paper
Professor Lemmel was really really a cool, cool woman. The
course was not that demanding if you were a native speaker,
but then again, I wasn’t that. So I spent a lot of time with my
dictionary. It was a really nice one. I tried to speak in class but
people thought I was an idiot, so I never tried again. Overall it
was the only class that was worthwhile.
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2) Course title: Describe course content:
Literarischer Kitsch A bunch of pretensious essays about the birth, use and history
Course level (intro/upper/seminar): of Kitsch in a big reader.
Probably upper-level literature
Means of assessment (e.g., papers, exams,
homework, etc.):
Big paper Evaluate course:
This class was a big joke. The professor was the lamest S.O.B.
I have ever come across. Someone gave him a degree, and
therefore he gets to teach classes, but he shouldn’t. If the class
says Magnus Klaue on it, don’t take it!
3) Course title: Describe course content:
Die Europäische Aufklärung The professor did a decent job but took it a little bit too
Course level (intro/upper/seminar): seriously. I felt him a little pretensious and more concerned
about seeming professional than actually making a connection
History with the students. Anyway, we ‘studied’ the enlightenment in
Means of assessment (e.g., papers, exams, Europe. Lots and lots of trees, very little forest.
homework, etc.):
Paper
Evaluate course:
Again, lots and lots of trees, very little forest.
4) Course title: Describe course content:
Das Deutsche Kaiserreich Like, the history of, like, the like, Kaiserreich in like,
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Course level (intro/upper/seminar): Deutschland. Also kind of lame, full of international students
history and their wonderful presentations.
Means of assessment (e.g., papers, exams,
homework, etc.):
paper
Evaluate course:
Lame but not THAT lame. The professor was really nice but
didn’t make good connections with the students…overall he
tried really hard to make a good class and give us good reading
material. I didn’t hate it, and if you get the chance to take it,
it’s not a bad choice. I just kind of got bored because I am a
linguist, not a historian and didn’t find enough selection for
linguistics courses.
5) Course title: Describe course content:
Course level (intro/upper/seminar):
Means of assessment (e.g., papers, exams,
homework, etc.):
Evaluate course:
6) Course title: Describe course content:
Course level (intro/upper/seminar):
Means of assessment (e.g., papers, exams,
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homework, etc.):
Evaluate course:
(Please add additional space if necessary)
Evaluation of the Office of Off-Campus Study
Please comment on your interaction with the staff of the Middlebury (Vermont) Office of Off-Campus
Study:
Julie Good is really nice and helpful.
Did you attend Middlebury’s pre-departure orientation meeting(s)? Did you find the meetings and
handouts useful? How would you recommend that we improve in this area?
No. I feel bad now.
Would you like to make an appointment (in person or phone) with Off-Campus Study to discuss your
study abroad experience?
x Yes No
Would you be interested in volunteering your time to help with pre-departure orientations and/or other
study abroad meetings or promotional activities? Yes x No
May we use your comments in future publications? x Yes No
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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FOR STUDENTS FROM OTHER COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES:
How did you learn of the Middlebury program?
Why did you choose this particular program and site?
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Comment on your expectations of the program as advertised before you went abroad versus the reality of
your experience during your studies.
Did you receive acceptance and pre-departure information in a timely fashion? Did you find the
handouts useful? How would you recommend that we improve in this area?
Were there particular challenges unique to non-Middlebury students? Please explain.
Are you willing to speak with students interested in this program? If so, please list your campus address
and phone number for the semester you return (if known).
Please return this as an e-mail attachment to the Office of Off-Campus Study: OffCampusStudy@middlebury.edu
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