Hi, my daughter is planning on studying abroad in Florence a year from now. I thought I should start the discussion! Anyone else’s DC planning on studying abroad?
And if there is anyone on CC that has studied abroad, can you weigh in on your experience with the program?
My D studied abroad while at Vanderbilt - she studied at University of Edinburgh. Her roommate studied in Florence. Both girls LOVED their study abroad! I think the Florence one is a Vanderbilt program. My D’s program was through Vandy’s affiliation with Butler University. It was the highlight of my D’s time at school, socially and academically. She met lots of new people, traveled around Europe on the cheap, enjoyed being immersed in a different culture, and took some classes that really complemented her studies (she was a Medicine, Health & Society major, and she took courses that exposed her to European heath care systems and issues). Her roommate majored in Italian, and she later got her Master’s in Italian … so I would say she got a lot out of her study abroad, because she sure stuck with the language.
We actually found that D’s semester abroad cost less than a semester at Vanderbilt (in the dorms) would have cost. She was able to live off-campus in Edinburgh, which was pretty inexpensive.
Vandy graduate son did a semester in Copenhagen. He chose it. He liked the courses he took. Language was a “survey” only level course but even so not that easy. Fluency was not something sought or obtained by anyone he met. Food is very expensive in Denmark so he didn’t dine particularly well. This is not a Vandy sponsored location. His suitemates in the city were from different USA colleges although maybe 10 Vandy students were also enrolled. In Denmark, you can opt for a unique housing alternative in the outskirts of the city that is culturally part of Denmark and other Scandinavian cultures --and is more about bonding and freeing your mind to self directed study and dining together before moving on to professional training. He chose to instead stay in more traditional housing in town with students from all over. He enjoyed purchasing into intensive courses that spent one weekend in London and another course that was taught in Croatia with a group people of similar interests.
Duke son did Berlin which is a joint Duke Davidson program. In comparing their experiences, Denmark is more of a “you get what you put into it” lifestyle with less structure and less hand-holding.
The Duke sponsored program is likely more full of parallels with Florence for Vandy: there are definite plusses to choosing a school-sponsored site. Faculty is often repeat and very experienced with Vandy students-- and Vandy based programs have a lot of character and history that builds over time. Academics in the school sponsored program were/are more intense and superior in my opinion. Fluency in German was a definite focus.
I believe there are several Vandy sponsored programs where fluency is a priority.
My Vandy son was looking for a break from regimen and for more freedom. Even so, the Copenhagen program required considerable effort and study to make halfway decent grades. He barely got to know any of his teachers, as he was one of scores of USA students from all over the place. He worked hard to prep for classes and barely made As and one B.
In contrast with the school sponsored program in Berlin at Duke…Duke son became very close to the German faculty who also visited Duke in alternate years in person and maintained close relationships with the students. The students were housed in closely vetted homes where they had a history placing students in the past. Everyone put a lot of sweat equity into the academic courses and hard work into fluency. I personally feel the school sponsored sites are likely best if you want to know the faculty well.
D did a summer study abroad in Berlin and loved it. It was well organized, but the housing was abysmal. Former post WWII military barracks that had long outlived their functionality, so nasty plumbing, limited kitchen facility for the building, etc. My kids were pre-Commons folks, but this was a long way down from that luxury! I did see for myself as we had traveled a bit before depositing her in Berlin. Vandy German professor ran a week long intro class and was in Berlin for the duration (though not supervising the students on a day to day), so I felt good about that.
D of a good friend did 2 consecutive semesters in Aix and Vandy has a very strong program there. Never heard anything but good comments about her experience.
Like kelsmom, I have also heard comments on study abroad being a financial bargain.
S2 studied last spring in Dublin. His options as an engineering student were limited in options. It was an awesome experience for him and for us to go visit with him. The program was through Butler and I agree that it was a bit less expensive then a semester in Nashville.