My Report
Last Modified: 08/27/2010
Filter By: RP_8GMue9RBUjoJi9m
1.
Name (optional)
Text Response
Stephanie Chin
Luia Yen
Taylor Corr
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
2.
E-mail Address (optional)
Text Response
stephjuechin@gmail.com
lyen@usc.edu
tcorr@usc.edu
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
3.
#
Location
Answer
Response
%
0
0%
4
Australian
National
University
0
0%
6
Chinese
University of
Hong Kong
0
0%
5
Copenhagen
Business
School
0
0%
3
Corvinus
University of
Budapest
0
0%
37
Chulalongkorn
University
0
0%
2
ESADE
Business
School
0
0%
40 ESCEM
0
0%
38 ESCP-EAP
0
0%
HEC School
13 of
Management
0
0%
Hong Kong
UNiversity of
Science and
Technology
0
0%
Korea
University
15
Business
School
0
0%
National
16 University of
Singapore
0
0%
National
18 Taiwan
University
0
0%
Peking
University
0
0%
Rotterdam
14 School of
Management
0
0%
Singapore
19 Management
University
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
9
University of
Manchester,
Manchester
Business
School
0
0%
10
University of
Melbourne
0
0%
12
University of
Navarra
0
0%
17
University of
St. Gallen
0
0%
8
WHU Otto
Beisheim
School of
Management
3
100%
Total
3
Aalto
University
39
School of
Economics
7
27
1
Thammasat
University
Universita
11 Commerciale
Luigi Bocconi
Bar
Statistic
Value
Min Value
8
Max Value
8
Mean
8.00
Variance
0.00
Standard Deviation
0.00
Total Responses
3
4.
What is your academic status this semester?
#
Answer
1
Bar
Response
%
Sophomore
0
0%
2
Junior
2
67%
3
Senior
1
33%
Total
3
Statistic
Value
Min Value
2
Max Value
3
Mean
2.33
Variance
0.33
Standard Deviation
0.58
Total Responses
3
5.
What is your expected date of graduation from USC (Semester and year, eg
Fall 2009)?
Text Response
Spring 2011
Spring 2011
Fall 2010
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
6.
What is your major?
Text Response
Accounting and Business Admin
Business Administration
Business Administration
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
7.
What is your concentration (Business majors only)?
Text Response
International Business
International Business, Operations Management
International Business
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
8.
Please indicate the term in which you were abroad (semester and year, eg Fall
2009).
Text Response
Spring 2010
Spring 2010
Spring 2010
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
9.
I. GENERAL PROGRAM EVALUATION Please rate the following items:
#
Question
Very
dissatisfied
Somewhat
dissatisfied
Neutral
Mostly
satisfied
Very
satisfied
Responses
Mean
1
1. Your
overall
satisfaction
with the
program.
0
0
0
1
2
3
4.67
Statistic
1. Your overall satisfaction with the program.
Min Value
4
Max Value
5
Mean
4.67
Variance
0.33
Standard Deviation
0.58
Total Responses
3
10.
Not
at
all
so
Somewhat
so
Neutral
Mostly
so
Very
much
so
Responses
Mean
#
Question
1
2. To what
extent did the
program meet
your
expectations?
0
0
0
1
2
3
4.67
2
3. To what
extent was
your
participation
in the
program a
valuable
learning
experience?
0
0
0
0
3
3
5.00
Statistic
2. To what extent did the
program meet your
expectations?
3. To what extent was your participation in
the program a valuable learning
experience?
Min Value
4
5
Max Value
5
5
Mean
4.67
5.00
Variance
0.33
0.00
Standard
Deviation
0.58
0.00
3
3
Total
Responses
11.
#
Question
Would not
recommend
at all
1
4. To what
extent
would you
recommend
this
program to
other USC
students?
0
May
recommend
with
reservations
0
Neutral
Would
surely
recommend
Would
recommend
most
strongly
Responses
Mean
0
1
2
3
4.67
Statistic
4. To what extent would you recommend this program to other USC students?
Min Value
4
Max Value
5
Mean
4.67
Variance
0.33
Standard Deviation
0.58
Total Responses
3
12.
II. ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Not
at
all
so
Somewhat
so
Neutral
Mostly
so
Very
much
so
Responses
Mean
#
Question
1
5. To what
extent were
your
courses
intellectually
challenging?
0
0
1
0
2
3
4.33
2
6. How
comparable
was the
quality of
instruction
and
academic
demand of
classes to
that of
USC?
0
1
0
2
0
3
3.33
Statistic
5. To what extent were
your courses intellectually
challenging?
6. How comparable was the quality of
instruction and academic demand of
classes to that of USC?
Min Value
3
2
Max Value
5
4
Mean
4.33
3.33
Variance
1.33
1.33
Standard
Deviation
1.15
1.15
3
3
Total
Responses
13.
#
Question
Strongly
disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly
Agree
Responses
Mean
1
7. The
grading
system
used in
the
courses
was
explained.
0
0
0
2
1
3
4.33
2
8. I was
able to
register for
all the
classes
that I
wanted.
0
0
0
1
2
3
4.67
Statistic
7. The grading system used in the
courses was explained.
8. I was able to register for all the
classes that I wanted.
Min Value
4
4
Max Value
5
5
Mean
4.33
4.67
Variance
0.33
0.33
Standard
Deviation
0.58
0.58
3
3
Total
Responses
14.
Not
at
all
so
Somewhat
so
Neutral
Mostly
so
Very
much
so
Responses
Mean
#
Question
1
9. To what
extent were
you prepared
for the
coursework?
0
0
0
2
1
3
4.33
2
10. To what
extent do you
feel you were
immersed in
the culture of
the host
country?
0
1
0
0
2
3
4.00
3
11. To what
extent did
you gain a
better
appreciation
of the host
culture's
perspectives?
0
0
0
0
3
3
5.00
Statistic
9. To what
extent were you
prepared for the
coursework?
10. To what extent do you
feel you were immersed
in the culture of the host
country?
11. To what extent did you
gain a better appreciation
of the host culture's
perspectives?
Min Value
4
2
5
Max Value
5
5
5
Mean
4.33
4.00
5.00
Variance
0.33
3.00
0.00
Standard
Deviation
0.58
1.73
0.00
3
3
3
Total
Responses
15.
#
Question
Very
dissatisfied
Somewhat
dissatisfied
Neutral
Mostly
satisfied
Very
Satisfied
Responses
Mean
1
12. Please
rate your
overall
satisfaction
with the
content of
the
courses
you took.
0
0
0
1
2
3
4.67
2
13. Please
rate your
overall
satisfaction
with the
quality of
instruction.
0
0
1
0
2
3
4.33
Statistic
12. Please rate your overall satisfaction with
the content of the courses you took.
13. Please rate your overall
satisfaction with the quality of
instruction.
Min Value
4
3
Max Value
5
5
Mean
4.67
4.33
Variance
0.33
1.33
Standard
Deviation
0.58
1.15
3
3
Total
Responses
16.
#
Question
Very
low
1
14. Please
rate the
overall
level of
faculty
interest in
students.
0
Somewhat
low
0
Average
Higher
than
average
Very
high
Responses
Mean
0
2
1
3
4.33
Statistic
14. Please rate the overall level of faculty interest in students.
Min Value
4
Max Value
5
Mean
4.33
Variance
0.33
Standard Deviation
0.58
Total Responses
3
17.
#
Question
Very
dissatisfied
Somewhat
dissatisfied
Neutral
Mostly
satisfied
Very
satisfied
Responses
Mean
1
15. Please
rate your
overall
satisfaction
with the
academic
program.
0
0
0
1
2
3
4.67
Statistic
15. Please rate your overall satisfaction with the academic program.
Min Value
4
Max Value
5
Mean
4.67
Variance
0.33
Standard Deviation
0.58
Total Responses
3
18.
III. LANGUAGE PREPARATIONIf you did not take a foreign language class
this semester, please choose "Not applicable" for each question.
#
Question
Not
applicable
Poor
Needs
improvement
Fair
Good
Excellent
Responses
Mean
1
16. How
were your
language
skills
before the
program?
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
1.00
2
17. How
were your
language
skills after
the
program?
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
1.00
3
18. Your
living
situation
aided your
language
acquisition.
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
1.00
Statistic
16. How were your
language skills before the
program?
17. How were your
language skills after the
program?
18. Your living situation
aided your language
acquisition.
Min Value
1
1
1
Max Value
1
1
1
Mean
1.00
1.00
1.00
Variance
0.00
0.00
0.00
Standard
Deviation
0.00
0.00
0.00
3
3
3
Total
Responses
19.
#
Question
Very
dissatisfied
Somewhat
dissatisfied
Neutral
Mostly
satisfied
Very
satisfied
Responses
Mean
1
19. If you
studied a
foreign
language
on the
program,
please rate
your
overall
level of
satisfaction
with the
language
education
component
of the
program.
0
0
3
0
0
3
3.00
Statistic
19. If you studied a foreign language on the program, please rate your overall level of
satisfaction with the language education component of the program.
Min Value
3
Max Value
3
Mean
3.00
Variance
0.00
Standard
Deviation
0.00
Total
Responses
3
20.
IV. SUPPORT SERVICESPlease rate your level of satisfaction with the
following categories:
#
Question
Very
dissatisfied
Somewhat
dissatisfied
Neutral
Mostly
satisfied
Very
satisfied
Responses
Mean
1
20. On-site
academic
advising
0
0
1
1
1
3
4.00
2
21. On-site
orientation
0
0
0
0
3
3
5.00
3
22. On-site
academic
facilities (e.g.
classrooms,
libraries,
computer labs),
excluding
housing.
0
0
0
0
3
3
5.00
4
23.
Communication
with the USC
Marshall office
in Los Angeles
0
0
0
1
2
3
4.67
5
24. Overall
impression of
on-site support
services
0
0
0
0
3
3
5.00
21. On-site
orientation
22. On-site academic
facilities (e.g. classrooms,
libraries, computer labs),
excluding housing.
23.
Communication
with the USC
Marshall office in
Los Angeles
24. Overall
impression
of on-site
support
services
3
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
Mean
4.00
5.00
5.00
4.67
5.00
Variance
1.00
0.00
0.00
0.33
0.00
Standard
Deviation
1.00
0.00
0.00
0.58
0.00
3
3
3
3
3
Statistic
20. Onsite
academic
advising
Min Value
Max Value
Total
Responses
21.
V. HOUSINGPlease rate your level of satisfaction with the following
categories:
Very
dissatisfied
Somewhat
dissatisfied
Neutral
Mostly
satisfied
Very
satisfied
Responses
Mean
25. Housing
coordination
0
0
0
1
2
3
4.67
2
26. Location
of student
housing
0
0
0
3
0
3
4.00
3
27. Quality of
housing
arrangements
0
0
0
1
2
3
4.67
#
Question
1
Statistic
25. Housing
coordination
26. Location of student
housing
27. Quality of housing
arrangements
Min Value
4
4
4
Max Value
5
4
5
Mean
4.67
4.00
4.67
Variance
0.33
0.00
0.33
Standard
Deviation
0.58
0.00
0.58
3
3
3
Total
Responses
22.
VI. OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS 31. Why did you choose this program?
Text Response
My friend ended up getting put in the program and I figured it would be a good
experience, I initially didn't even think I was going to go abroad until he got in too.
I chose to go to a smaller town to really get a feel for what it is like to live there.
The program very much satisfied that curiosity-- when you travel around to other
cities, you can get an idea of what it's like to live in a big city (in addition to
attending school in LA) but unless you actually live in a small town like Vallendar,
you can't get an accurate idea in just a few days. Attending a small, private,
business school was also a very valuable learning experience.
I knew that I wanted to be in Europe when I began looking into the program.
WHU appealed to me because of the interest they showed in exchange students
in their publications and page on Marshall's abroad site. They made it clear that
the students were a high priority and that they would take the time to make sure
you had a great experience.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
23.
32. Please compare these aspects of your program with study at USC.
USC/in
L.A.
Better
Responses
Mean
#
Question
Equivalent
USC/Abroad
Better
1
1) Quality
of
instruction
2
0
1
3
1.67
2
2) Content
of courses
2
0
1
3
1.67
3
3)
Intellectual
challenge
of courses
2
0
1
3
1.67
4
4) Faculty
interest
in/support
of students
1
1
1
3
2.00
5
5)
Individual
assistance
provided
3
0
0
3
1.00
Statistic
1) Quality
of
instruction
2)
Content
of
courses
3)
Intellectual
challenge
of courses
4) Faculty
interest
in/support
of
students
5)
Individual
assistance
provided
Min Value
1
1
1
1
1
Max Value
3
3
3
3
1
Mean
1.67
1.67
1.67
2.00
1.00
Variance
1.33
1.33
1.33
1.00
0.00
Standard
Deviation
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.00
0.00
3
3
3
3
3
Total
Responses
24.
33. How much study time per week do you recommend in order to keep up
with classes?
Text Response
I didn't spend much time, but they are pass fail and I ended up passing all of
them with adequate studying right before the final
4-8 hours
Finals are all the grade and eat up a lot of time. Keep pace with the work during
the semester but there is rarely homework
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
25.
34. How, if at all, does the structure of the courses differ from those at USC?
Did you like or dislike these differences?
Text Response
The tests make up most or all of the grade and a lot of the content that were in
the slides (whether discussed in class or not) were required for the test, however
the structure was very similar from that in LA.
Courses don't have a set schedule at WHU. When you choose a class, 6 random
class days (chosen by professor) are listed, so a class might meet six consecutive
days or once a week/two weeks. Classes meet for 3 hours each time in general
(sometimes 5 hours), which can run a bit long. However, this type of scheduling
allows students much more time to travel and visit other places, as you may have
five or six days without classes, or even 2.5 weeks. It is more difficult to travel
with other people who don't have similar classes unless you wait for weekends.
Overall, I feel that, for an exchange semester, this structure of courses is better.
In addition, class years (first years, second, third) are limited to a specific list of
courses, while exchange students are not, so you can meet people from all three
years. Also, while this ability to cross over years make present a little bit of trouble
during final exams (finals from classes for two different grades may overlap, but
the school is very accommodating so it's not too big of a problem), it helps in
terms of group projects because students are generally finished with class at the
same time and are able to meet and quickly finish group work (similar to high
school).
There was a large emphasis placed on the final, with almost no deliverables
during the period of the course. Classes met 5 times a quarter (there are two twomonth long quarters during the semester period) but for long hours with a break
in the middle. The days they meet are also not in a set order and vary from week
to week. This can make for some long days but also some very long breaks
conducive to traveling, exploring, etc. It is not a hard schedule to get used to and
actually seemes lighter than a semester load at USC.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
26.
35. Are there courses or professors that you would particular recommend?
Please explain:
Text Response
N/A
I recommend the course "Business Environment in Europe." I felt that this course
was valuable in that American education seldom covers details on European
history or current situation/events. This course provided a much clearer picture of
how the EU works and the benefits/problems of an economic union and monetary
union. The professor for this course was a PhD student and was not particularly
skilled in teaching, but the content of the course was invaluable.
The classes are arranged by semester and year from 1 to 6. Odd numbered
semesters are offered in the fall and even in the spring. Each pair of numbers
refers to one of the three levels of the school (e.g. semester 4 would be a second
year class in the spring). Semester 6 classes can be very challenging (not
impossible). Any class with "International" in it is usually a good bet as it gives a
European perspective on a lot of the same classes taken at USC with a domestic
focus. Case study classes require a fair deal of work outside of the classroom.
Keep in mind the German students put a good deal of effort into their classes
because they are all ranked numerically by grades and it is a highly ranked
private business school.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
27.
36. Are there courses or professors that you would advise against taking?
Please explain:
Text Response
N/A
No Teachers may not be as skilled in lecturing (largely due to the language
barrier. Germans at WHU and in general are actually impressively good at
English, but obviously not as good as Americans). However, you can always get
something out of the classes.
See above
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
28.
37. Has participation in this program influenced your academic or career
goals? How?
Text Response
Yes I've decided I want to have a much more international career.
Sort of. I feel like classes--and the whole experience in general--have given me a
better grasp of international business. Also, WHU is "known" for producing
bankers and consultants, so students interested in either of those fields are able
to take a set of courses that develop specific skills/knowledge.
I came into the program with a general idea of my academic/career goals and left
with pretty much the same outlook. The program was a very valuable learning
experience for me, just not in that sense.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
29.
Please tell us about your experience with the foreign language of your host
country: 38. Besides English, what is (are) the language(s) most prominently
spoken on the campus of the university where you studied?
Text Response
German
German
German, French
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
30.
39. Did you speak the host language, or receive any language training in the
host language prior to, or during your semester abroad? If yes, please explain:
Text Response
No
No
No
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
31.
Then rate:
#
Question
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Responses
Mean
1
1) Your
language skills
before the
program:
0
0
0
3
3
4.00
2
2) Language
training on the
program:
0
1
2
0
3
2.67
3
3) Your
proficiency
after the
program:
0
0
2
1
3
3.33
Statistic
1) Your language
skills before the
program:
2) Language
training on the
program:
3) Your
proficiency after
the program:
Min Value
4
2
3
Max Value
4
3
4
Mean
4.00
2.67
3.33
Variance
0.00
0.33
0.33
Standard
Deviation
0.00
0.58
0.58
3
3
3
Total
Responses
32.
40. Did cultural/social activities sponsored by the program assist you in
language acquisition?
Text Response
N/A
N/A
Yes
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
33.
41. Did outside/other activities help? Please explain.
Text Response
Walking around the city, having to speak German helped me understand some,
but I cannot speak it
N/A
N/A
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
34.
42. What percentage of students on the campus of your host country (would
you estimate) actively speak English?
Text Response
100%
98%
99%
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
35.
43. How would you recommend that students prepare for language
differences abroad?
Text Response
On our campus all students spoke english, so knowing german was not
necessary. However getting around town and being able to read signs and such
was harder. I would not say knowing the language is necessary however it will
help to have a basic knowledge and its a great place to practice for those who
really want to learn.
Germans are excellent at English, at least on campus and in the big cities. They
don't give you a hard time about not speaking German, and often like to practice
their English with you. With the locals in Vallendar and nearby small city of
Koblenz, it's a bit more difficult to talk to teens in English because they're afraid to
speak with you, but the shopkeepers and taxi drivers etc. are all able to speak
english to some extent. You just need to know basics like please, thank you, and
your address.
German is a very different language that the languages most people study in high
school (French or Spanish) so it is very difficult to apply any previous foreign
language experience. A good bet is to research commonly used phrases in the
grocery store, restaurants, etc. that will be used frequently over the course of the
semester
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
36.
Click to write Column 2
Not
Available
Available But Not
Used
Available And
Used
Responses
Mean
Housing coordination
0
2
1
3
2.33
2
On-site personal advising and informal
support
0
2
1
3
2.33
3
Orientation in Los Angeles
1
0
2
3
2.33
4
Instructional facilities
0
0
3
3
3.00
5
Medical/dental facilities
2
1
0
3
1.33
6
Recreational facilities
1
2
0
3
1.67
7
USC Financial Aid
1
1
1
3
2.00
8
Communication with office in Los Angeles
0
1
2
3
2.67
#
Question
1
Statistic
Housing
coordination
On-site
personal
advising
and
informal
support
Orientation
in Los
Angeles
Instructional
facilities
Medical/dental
facilities
Recreational
facilities
USC
Financial
Aid
Communication
with office in
Los Angeles
Min Value
2
2
1
3
1
1
1
2
Max Value
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
3
Mean
2.33
2.33
2.33
3.00
1.33
1.67
2.00
2.67
Variance
0.33
0.33
1.33
0.00
0.33
0.33
1.00
0.33
Standard
Deviation
0.58
0.58
1.15
0.00
0.58
0.58
1.00
0.58
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Total
Responses
37.
Click to write Column 2
Unacceptable
Below
Average
Average
Above
Average
Acceptable
Responses
Mean
Housing coordination
0
0
1
1
1
3
4.00
2
On-site personal advising and
informal support
0
0
0
3
0
3
4.00
3
Orientation in Los Angeles
1
0
1
1
0
3
2.67
4
Instructional facilities
0
0
0
3
0
3
4.00
5
Medical/dental facilities
0
0
3
0
0
3
3.00
6
Recreational facilities
0
2
1
0
0
3
2.33
7
USC Financial Aid
0
0
2
1
0
3
3.33
8
Communication with office in Los
Angeles
0
0
0
3
0
3
4.00
#
Question
1
Statistic
Housing
coordination
On-site
personal
advising
and
informal
support
Orientation
in Los
Angeles
Instructional
facilities
Medical/dental
facilities
Recreational
facilities
USC
Financial
Aid
Communication
with office in
Los Angeles
Min Value
3
4
1
4
3
2
3
4
Max Value
5
4
4
4
3
3
4
4
Mean
4.00
4.00
2.67
4.00
3.00
2.33
3.33
4.00
Variance
1.00
0.00
2.33
0.00
0.00
0.33
0.33
0.00
Standard
Deviation
1.00
0.00
1.53
0.00
0.00
0.58
0.58
0.00
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Total
Responses
38.
44. Did you live in...
#
Answer
1
Bar
Response
%
Dorm
1
33%
2
Apartment
1
33%
3
Other
1
33%
Total
3
Statistic
Value
Min Value
1
Max Value
3
Mean
2.00
Variance
1.00
Standard Deviation
1.00
Total Responses
3
39.
45. If you used STA Travel for transportation arrangements, were you
satisfied? Please explain.
Text Response
N/A
N/A
N/A
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
40.
46. Is there any aspect of the program that you would like to see changed or
different? (VERY IMPORTANT!)
Text Response
The biggest thing I think that should be changed with the WHU program is the
amount of information given to students pre-abroad that is specific to that certain
school. Instead of doing 3 large orientation sessions with everyone I think it would
be good to do smaller orientation sessions with just the students attending each
program as well as the students who attended the previous semester. That helps
students understand where they're going wihtout just geting the broad general
orientation that we got. It was not helpful to hear about Budapest and Paris when
I was going to Germany and I think it would have been great to 1) meet the
people I was going over seas with 2) hear directly and face-to-face from the
pervious students (not via email) regarding the ins and outs what we should
expect ect. and their version of orientation and 3) as much as Sean does for us
orientation needs to be tailored to each location because there are huge
differences in each of the programs
No, most of the coordination (housing, resident permit, class registration, etc.) is
well organized by the WHU administration.
Academic orientation could have been more detailed in terms of what units are
needed and the nature of various classes offered
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
41.
47. Additional comments on services and coordination.
Text Response
It would be nice to know the exact start date of classes and orientation (which is
usually days before classes) before going over. However I know that is in large
part due to the partner school. But it would have been nice to know that I didn't
need to arrive 3 days early because I would have 12 days between orientation
and my first class.
Their exchange student program, VIP (like our IEP hosting), organizes events in
the first week. I would suggest to them that they offer a few events at the end for
the exchange students as well to say good-byes. The VIP could also play a more
active role throughout the semester, since exchange students are expected to
elect their own "government" to plan events but aren't as familiar with cultural
events etc.
The WHU is ridiculously helpful in setting up your coming semester.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
42.
Please tell us about your travel experiences. 48. How did you find your
arrangements to the host institution?
#
Answer
1
Bar
Response
%
Travel
Agent
0
0%
2
Online
2
67%
3
Other:
1
33%
Total
3
Other:
Exchange Students at USC
Statistic
Value
Min Value
2
Max Value
3
Mean
2.33
Variance
0.33
Standard Deviation
0.58
Total Responses
3
43.
Would you recommend this method?
Text Response
YES!!
Yes, it seems the cheapest and is the quickest way
Yes, once airfare is squared away, the German trains are a breeze
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
44.
49. What was the average cost for round-trip tickets to your host country?
Text Response
$1100
$700-1000, depending on how early you purchase.
1400
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
45.
50. How often did you travel and to where?
Text Response
Almost every week we had huge breaks which were amazing. I ended up visiting
Munich, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Dublin, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid,
Cologne, and ended with a trip to Egypt with my family.
I traveled about every 1.5 weeks, but because of the way schedules are made
up, I was able to attend a lot of school/peer events without missing out on too
much. I visited Barcelona and Madrid (Spain); Strasbourg and Paris (France);
London (UK); Dublin (Ireland); Amsterdam (Netherlands); Cologne, Berlin,
Munich, Frankfurt, and Baden-Baden (Germany); Prague (Czech Rep.); Budapest
(Hungary); Siena, Florence, Venice, Rome, and Lastra a Signa (Italy); Brussels
(Belgium); Split, Zagreb, and Dubrovnik (Croatia)
I traveled about twice a month. The first month I stuck to Germany and saw all of
the major cities. I then went to Italy (twice), the UK, Ireland and Spain - all on
Ryanair - over the next few months.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
46.
51. Did the structure of the host institution's course schedule foster travel
opportunity or prevent it? Why?
Text Response
YES! the courses are set so that professors may chose the dates and times
which they would prefer to hold their 6 sessions. In that case you can either
schedule (or just get lucky) when you have weeks free. Also, not having a set
schedule and strict attendance allowed us to be flexible and take advantage of
cheap flights during the week rather than weekend.
It fostered travel opportunity. As noted earlier, the schedule would allow long
travel periods in between lectures, so you didn't have to do all your traveling on
the weekends or miss out on all the fun school functions/parties.
The courses there are built for travel. The random days of classes means that
sometimes you will have situations where you will have three days of classes in a
row followed by 9 days off. This happens fairly often during the semester.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
47.
52. Do you have any tips or information about traveling while abroad that
you would like to share with upcoming exchange students preparing for their trip?
Text Response
Start traveling right away or you won't be able to fit it all in. Look out for deals like
Eurail, but they are often very expensive and only useful for those who think they
will always travel by train and travel a ton. I found that booking on cheap airlines
like ryanair or using the trains kept my travel expenses low. Also, take advantage
of other exchange students setting up trips.
I bought a "Eurail Global Pass"-- it allows you to travel within 21 approved
countries as often as you like within 3 months. Some international trains require
an additional fee (usually only 3-5 euro) to reserve a seat in advance but all
regional trains are free. The pass might be a bit expensive (mine paid off because
I traveled non-stop for an extra month after school let out), but train tickets
without a pass are actually pretty expensive. For example, a train ticket from
Frankfurt to Munich could cost 80 euro for a 6 hour train ride. I would suggest
train travel over flying, however, because train stations are much more
conveniently located--they always take you to the center of whatever city you are
visiting and you don't need to waste time/money getting from Vallendar to a
bigger city with an airport. Flying with the cheap airlines like Ryanair means
leaving hours early, taking trains and shuttles and buses to get to the airport,
security checks, then waiting hours to board, then waiting on the plane, then
flying for an hour or two, then getting back into the city. This whole process could
take the same amount of time as traveling by train, but trains allow you to take as
much luggage with you as you want with no extra cost, and you can sleep or read
undisturbed whereas flying is a draining process. Also, the price of flying tends to
add up with service charges, taxes, transportation to the airport, overweight
luggage, etc. In short, trains may be slightly more expensive, but I recommend
them for peace of mind and convenience. Consider getting a pass if you will be
traveling a lot.
Ryanair is incredibly cheap and rewards those who book early. Pay close
attention to the fees they try and tack on and the cost of travelling to and from
their airports (oftentimes the city in the destination is actually quite a ways away
from the actual city). Worth looking into as well are the various train deals within
the country and throughout Europe. The trains are highly reliable and enjoyable
and could be a more comfortable and convenient option.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
48.
53. EXPENSES: How much spending money FOR THE ENTIRE
SEMESTER would you recommend that the next participants budget for this
program?
Min
Value
Max
Value
Average
Value
Standard
Deviation
700
4,000
1,900.00
1,824.83
Housing/rent
1,500
3,000
2,433.33
814.45
3
General travel during semester
1,000
3,000
1,866.67
1,026.32
4
Books & miscellaneous supplies
0
200
133.33
115.47
5
Other expenditures (please
explain)
0
0
0.00
0.00
#
Answer
1
General (including food,
entertainment, local
transportation)
2
Other expenditures (please explain)
49.
54. Did you experience any form of crime, or were you in danger at any time
(such as the victim or witness of assault, robbery, etc.)? If yes, please explain:
Text Response
No, never.
No, only "magic trick" swindlers in some countries. Germany always felt safe,
especially in Vallendar.
I lived in a town of students, nuns and senior citizens and saw absolutely no
crime. I did experience pickpocketers in Barcelona, but that was a different city.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
50.
55. Before departure from USC, or upon immediate arrival to your host
country, do you think you were adequately warned and/or prepared to deal with
most incidents mentioned in the Health and Safety section of this evaluation?
Text Response
Yes
Yes
Yes, I felt prepared.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
51.
56. If you did not feel adequately prepared (response to question #55), what
do you think you needed to know or hear in advance? How could you have been
better informed and/or prepared?
Text Response
N/A
N/A
N/A
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
52.
57. Were you knowledgeable about your USC overseas insurance coverage
policy?
Text Response
Yes
Somewhat
Yes, orientation did a great job explaining the situation and it was spelled out very
clearly.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
53.
58. Did you experience any negative treatment that you feel was related to
your ethnicity, race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion? If yes,
please explain:
Text Response
No
No
Everyone was so eager to meet people from around the world that I don't think
anyone noticed any of that. The atmosphere was very friendly
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
54.
59. What was the best part of the program?
Text Response
Meeting friends from other countries and getting to fully experience a new culture
by being in classes with the German students and becoming their friends.
Getting to know the German students very well because it's a small school and
there aren't that many exchange students. You can really hang out with the "local"
students and get to know people from all different countries.
The way that the school was run and the way the WHU staff took care of the
students allowed for that whole part of the experience to be stress free. I never
had to worry about administrative or academic issues and was free to focus my
energy on more positive pursuits.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
55.
60. What was the most difficult part?
Text Response
Leaving.
Traveling around is just tiring in general, and having to figure out cultures, points
of interests, customs, languages, transportation, etc. in every city is pretty difficult.
Just doing some research online beforehand is very helpful. And remembering
that you can't possibly see everything, and to really enjoy your time.
The hardest part for me was being in a smaller town with a smaller school
population when I had been used to big cities my whole life. I adjusted fairly
quickly and as I got to know more students this became easier.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
56.
61. Describe a situation that you experienced as a result of culture shock or
cultural misunderstanding. How did you resolve it?
Text Response
N/A
There is a lot of confusion about how Asians can also be American, and many
Europeans are often very curious to know where I'm "really" from. But you just
learn to go along with it because they don't mean any offense, they're just
curious. Oh, and you also have to get in the habit of making trips to stores more
often because everything comes in smaller quantities in Europe.
I don't think I can pick out a particular instance in which I had definite culture
shock. I think college students are pretty similar wherever they are from. The
language barrier was more difficult than any cultural differences I encountered
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
57.
62. Describe something that you are proud of having accomplished during
your stay.
Text Response
Passing all of my classes.
I'm most proud of having a lot of German friends. I had a lot of great
conversations with them about their take on different aspects of Germany-gender issues, poverty, politics, growing up, etc. I felt like that helped me really
appreciate the country and the people.
I think I legitimately have a place to stay now in ten different countries because of
the friends I have made.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
58.
63. What do you wish you had known about before leaving?
Text Response
A lot, to be honest everything is so confusing before you get there and then once
you get there it all falls in to place and everyone is very helpful. I felt like I didn't
know anything before I got there, but once I did get there I was immediately
comfortable.
Nothing. It was really great meeting some German students through IEP Hosting
before I went, because they gave me a great idea of what it would be like and I
had friends there before I arrived.
I think it is important to emphasize just how small of a town WHU is in. There are
a large number of religious buildings, a few restaurants, a couple grocery stores
and a couple bars but nothing in the way of a city. The nearby town of Koblenz is
also quite a small city with not much to offer. It certainly affects the experience
and is worth noting
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
59.
64. Do you have any travel tips to share?
Text Response
Travel as often as possible, as cheap as possible, and as far as possible.
Train.
Book early, travel in groups (safer, but also way more fun), allow time to fully
explore the cities.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
60.
65. What would you like to say to the students going after you?
Text Response
Enjoy it while it lasts. It has been the best experience of my entire life (and I know
you hear that a lot) but you'll understand when you leave. Four months has never
gone by so fast.
I absolutely loved it and am so glad that, of all the choices, I went to Germany.
And I'd be more than happy to talk about it with them. And to really enjoy the
Kebabs there, because they were invented in Germany and you can't get them
any better anywhere else (and beer, Ritter Sport chocolate, and Haribo Saft
gummy bears).
Without a city or a sport team at WHU, the students make up the experience
there. The more people you get to know the more willing you are to go out of your
comfort zone and make friends, the more rewarding it will be. There is no reason
to be sitting in your room unless you're sick or studying.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3
61.
66. Any final thoughts...
Text Response
This is a great program, but it needs some changes. So many business students
forgo this opportunity because they don't think they can fit it, or they don't want to
miss recruiting. Its an amazing experience and I feel like so many students get
gipped of the opportunity because of preconceived notions of what they need to
be doing before they graduate. I know Marshals making an effort to tell students
to take a broader approach to education but I think going abroad needs to be
stressed. I do however think Marshal sets up a GREAT program with the partner
schools much much better than USC Madrid/Paris (my twin sister was in Madrid) I
think the cultural immersion we get and the overall cultural experience is much
more enriching than going abroad with a USC school however I don't think people
know how great of an opportunity it is. I think it needs to be expanded to other
schools and I think more students needs to get involved. I know its a stretch but
at WHU they are required to go abroad and it does them well to be forced (even
though they welcome it) into that type of a situation. I'm not sure what Sean has
planned but it sounds like he's motivated to keep this program up and going and I
think anything he can do will help. THANK YOU! I loved my time abroad. I wish
everyone could have the experience I had.
Thank you so much for the program!!!
Unless you've already been to Europe, the ease of travel and the awesomeness
(its a word) and number of the cities to visit there make it extremely difficult to
pass up.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
3