Homestay/Study abroad in Germany?

SeanMadd

I'm in 5th year and was wondering does anyone have any experience from doing a summer study abroad in Germany? I'd really love to go over this Summer to improve my German and see what it's like, but don't know what to do about it.

Thanks in advance

Lawrence1895

I never studied German, because I am from there

But I know a good website offering short term accommodation for the time over: http://www.zeitwohnwerk.com

Well, the keywords for search engines are 'Zeitwohnen' or 'Mitwohnzentrale'

d15ude

as a teenager i stayed with a family in the usa, really helped my english (well some folks from irl and uk disagree)!

regarding summer course in germany, the goethe institute has an overview here:
http://www.goethe.de/ins/de/spr/kuj/kur/enindex.htm


goethe is a non profit org and the have an office in dublin:
http://www.goethe.de/ins/ie/dub/enindex.htm

xxshebeexx

I did a three week German course in Duesseldorf by the Goethe Institut in the summer before my sixth year in school. I'm in third year of college now (studying German still! )

I loved the course I did. We had four hours of classes in the morning and then had the afternoon to ourselves. The course took place in a small boarding school, which meant we all stayed together and had great amenities. The teachers were young, friendly and fun. Everyone on the course, about 100 or so people, were aged between 15 and 18.

We were sorted into classes according to our ability. The classes were fun, creative and varied: some grammar, of course, but lots of interaction and creativity with projects!

It was a great chance to explore Duesseldorf as well.

Everyone on the course came from different countries.. My roommate was Canadian and I even got to visit her the following summer in Canada. I'm still in touch with some of the girls from Hungary and Spain. Even though everyone on the course is only learning German, the good thing is, you kind of have to speak it, because it's the language you all have in common! Some people tried to speak English, but if you made the effort, German could be the lingua franca of the course!

It's relatively expensive doing a course like this, but I'd definitely recommend it. Germany has gorgeous weather in the summer and it's a fantastic chance to spend more than a short holiday there. It's a good opportunity to use and improve your German, but it's a lot of fun too! You meet so many different people from different countries and have great memories! It definitely helps your language skills!

I even went back recently to do a year in Bonn, near Duesseldorf, as an Erasmus year for college. Can't keep me away from the place!

SeanMadd

Just wondering how much did it cost? I was thinking of maybe just going on a holiday to Germany and speaking to people everyday if a program is too expensive.

xxshebeexx

I'm not sure exactly how much it cost, because my parents paid for it at the time, but it was upwards of €2000, for sure. Expensive, but then I think you get more out of it than just going on a holiday! And for three weeks, all inclusive, it's not bad.

Carry

SeanMadd wrote: »

Just wondering how much did it cost? I was thinking of maybe just going on a holiday to Germany and speaking to people everyday if a program is too expensive.

Not a good idea. Most people in Germany speak English and would talk to you in English, either to be polite and help with communication or just being happy to try out their English. You'll come back with very little German.

The cheapest way to do a course is at a Volkshochschule (evening classes for adults).
Here a list of all Volkshochschulen in Germany: http://www.vhs.de/

Or some examples:
http://www.berlin.de/vhs/kurse/deutsch/deutschfremd.html
https://www.vhs-hamburg.de/ueber-uns/regionen/zentren/zentrum-deutsch-als-fremdsprache-41

Sometimes universities do classes "Deutsch für Ausländer". You have to check their websites.

But you still have to find accommodation.
I would start with a hostel, then try there to make contacts to get a private room within a family or in a shared flat.

Lawrence1895

Carry wrote: »

Not a good idea. Most people in Germany speak English and would talk to you in English, either to be polite and help with communication or just being happy to try out their English. You'll come back with very little German.

The cheapest way to do a course is at a Volkshochschule (evening classes for adults).
Here a list of all Volkshochschulen in Germany: http://www.vhs.de/

Or some examples:
http://www.berlin.de/vhs/kurse/deutsch/deutschfremd.html
https://www.vhs-hamburg.de/ueber-uns/regionen/zentren/zentrum-deutsch-als-fremdsprache-41

Sometimes universities do classes "Deutsch für Ausländer". You have to check their websites.

But you still have to find accommodation.
I would start with a hostel, then try there to make contacts to get a private room within a family or in a shared flat.

A 'Volkshochschule' is always a good choice, they are good value and have qualified and experienced staff.

About short term apartments, please check my first post