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Desperate to observe within the footsteps of a faculty 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 fall 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 expertise.
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 a terrific resolution to this drawback—she studied overseas for 2 semesters in two totally 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’d advocate these packages to college students who’re fascinated with 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
Once you examine overseas, you get to expertise a very new tutorial surroundings. You’ll be able to be taught from professors with distinctive views, meet worldwide college students from around the globe, and see how a special cultural context can make clear your research. Under, Annaliese describes her classroom expertise at Freie Universität in Berlin and the Université de Grenoble:
“I used to be at all times with different worldwide college students, however I completely cherished attending to know the scholars in my lessons, as generally German or French was our solely frequent language… I used to be at school each morning, and I had some afternoon lessons, however I by no means had lessons on Fridays… Once 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 expertise, whereas others don’t need to take any language programs overseas. Fortuitously, AIFS Overseas does not require you to talk or be taught one other language to check overseas—no matter your language choice is, we now have a program to fulfill your wants.
Under, Annaliese explains her expertise learning and studying the language in each of her program locations:
“In Berlin, you may come as a newbie, however for [my specific program in] Grenoble, we needed to know some French beforehand. My language expertise improved a lot, however it didn’t at all times really feel prefer it after I was in the course of the semester. In direction of the top, I noticed how a lot my expertise had improved since my first few lessons. 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 degree of legitimacy as a result of I lived there for lengthy sufficient to actually take a look at my skills.”
Whether or not you attempt new out new tutorial avenues or give attention to programs associated to your main, learning overseas might help you achieve a greater thought of the place you need to take your profession after graduating faculty. Hear Annaliese clarify how learning overseas in Germany and France helped form her skilled future:
“[Studying abroad] has made me understand 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, supply the selection of a homestay—the proper alternative to observe your language expertise, as she explains:
“I lived with a number household in each places, and I feel it was one of the simplest ways for full language immersion.”
Cultural Appreciation
Examine and intern overseas packages let you stay like an area in a world vacation spot—typically offering immersive cultural experiences that may proceed to form your life lengthy after you come back house. These adjustments could also be easy as opting to stroll extra and admire your speedy surroundings, regardless of the place you might be, as Annaliese explains:
“I cherished public transport and the way a lot I used to be strolling. Once I got here house, I began happening day by day walks outdoors of my regular exercises simply to loosen up and benefit from the world round me.”
Consuming is a cultural expertise in and of itself. Each dish has its personal story and might 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 will 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.
If you happen to examine overseas in Germany throughout the fall semester, you may go to the nation’s well-known Christmas markets, which aren’t solely a lovely sight, but additionally a gastronomic delight—as Annaliese explains:
“Certainly one of my favourite days was going to a couple totally different Christmas Markets with my host mother in Germany and making an attempt a bunch of recent 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 supply distinctive cultural experiences and tutorial credit score. Many individuals, particularly those that are going overseas by themselves for the primary time, select AIFS Overseas as a result of they need to have trusted on-site help at their program vacation spot.
AIFS Overseas is well-known for our supportive on-site workers 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 help everytime you want it. Under, 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 provides the next recommendation:
“Finding out overseas will deliver up issues and challenges that you simply don’t anticipate. My recommendation is to maintain a constructive mindset and be open to making an attempt new issues, but additionally to acknowledge while you’re drained and just remember to 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 a variety 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 help, on-site workers, and extra, you’ll take consolation in figuring out you’ll have help all through your complete expertise overseas.
