STUDY abroad

FU-BEST is very unlike most Study Abroad programs. Whereas many Americans may choose Spain, France, or the UK and expect their time to be somewhat of a smooth 4-month vacation, this certainly isn't that. FU-BEST is an academically intensive program with a serious course structure. Whereas the instructors are world class (my two instructors were former diplomats), and the homestay is the greatest decision I could've made, the program does not offer those desiring to learn the language an ability to focus their time on it. Enrolling in the Language Tandem Partner Program, living in a lively homestay, and taking the intensive language course track does help a lot, but if you are not on top of your game, you might second guess your commitment to learning the language. Some language instructors want you to learn and provide you with the tools to do so while others are very difficult and don't make it fun. It all depends on what you are looking to get from the program. After a full year on the program, I can honestly say that I'd do it again with FU-Best even though I felt defeated along the way. My host family was a dream come true, and not all the Americans you'll meet fit the stereotype (99% of students are American). Without positive experiences with my host family, I wouldn't have continued to pursue my interests in Berlin.