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Post by mcfish123 on Apr 12, 2007 13:28:12 GMT -5
Hi, I'm going to study abroad through Michigan State University in the future and I'm a German major (so far) and I'm trying to get an idea of where I'm going to study and see what you thought about them.
My options right now are:
Freiburg (full year, first choice)
Konstanz (one sem.)
Stuttgart (one sem.)
Has anybody been to these cities? What did you think of them?
Thanks for everything!
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Post by me on Apr 12, 2007 14:41:39 GMT -5
as i've spent time in two of them, perhaps i could help.
Freiburg is an interesting town, i studied there for a Wintersemester when i was a student. the reason i'd opted to move the next semester was to go someplace where i didn't know any Americans. it was bad for my German language skills to hang out with other Amis so much. [Freiburg is very popular as a study abroad location. the place is lousy with Americans!]
in spite of Freiburg being the largest city with a mayor from the Green Party, Freiburg's best known politician is Wolfgang Schäuble, minister of the interior, who was, at one time, Helmut Kohl's 1st choice to succeed him as Bundeskanzler.
Konstanz is a place where several German friends have studied - many have opted to stay in the area. Konstanz is very historic, because it's so close to Switzerland - the city center is pratically *in* Switzerland - Konstanz wasn't bombed into oblivion like much of Europe in WWII. [Allied bombing planners wouldn't risk an errant bomb falling on Kreuzlingen]
Konstanz is also the only place North of the Alps where a Pope of the Roman Church was selected.
not only is the city historical, because of the lake, the 3rd largest freshwater lake in Europe, there are many recreational opportunities. like Freiburg, Konstanz has mild weather.
my only visit to Stuttgart was as a teen. it seemed very industrial.
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Post by jennifer on Apr 12, 2007 19:13:44 GMT -5
Hi there! Well, you're in luck! I just got my Uni degree in German studies! I spent 6 months in Freiburg this summer. Great town! Student life is great, but it's not big enough for it to become a tourist trap. Keep in mind i've been to other tourist cities, and there are english speaking people everywhere! You won't escape the abroaders  I really loved Freiburg, if you have any specific questions, let me know xoxo |
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Post by me on Apr 12, 2007 20:30:58 GMT -5
oh, mcfish123, why are all your options in Southern Germany?
i did my 2nd semester in the North, Münster in Westfalen. the Hochdeutsch spoken there was actually more standard than in the South. [most in the younger generation couldn't even understand Plat]
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Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 12, 2007 21:18:12 GMT -5
Was going to suggest Freiburg as well (great town!) so what the other said goes for me. I went to school (as in Gymnasium, not college) in Bremen and Berlin, but spend a holiday in Freiburg and loved it. Jennifer, bin neidisch auf Dir! Muenster is great too, but that's not an option is it?
David, good point about north and south for the language. Even though Hochdeutsch is used in schools, business etc, interaction with people will be in the dialect on most occasions.
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Post by me on Apr 12, 2007 21:32:46 GMT -5
yes, that's the point i was trying to make. in that regard, i would especially caution McFish123 about The dialect in Stuttgart. Schwäbish is not a good accent to learn! David, good point about north and south for the language. Even though Hochdeutsch is used in schools, business etc, interaction with people will be in the dialect on most occasions. |
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Post by jennifer on Apr 12, 2007 21:59:26 GMT -5
Well, in Freiburg, it's perfectly understandeable. I don't speak a word of badisch and I was ok!
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Post by mcfish123 on Apr 14, 2007 20:31:24 GMT -5
Thank you so much for all your input! It has helped a lot.
And all the cities were in southern Germany because those were the cities of the programs I want to go in. I have nothing against northern Germany!
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