Reviews of Justus-Liebig-Universitaet Giessen (JLU) | Germany

Useful | 0

anders b

Aarhus Universitet, Aarhus, Denmark
Political Science, Graduate, Erasmus

Overall

I wish I had known...

no, not really.

In my opinion:

I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

3

Culture

4

Costs

2

Activities

2

Campus life

2

Party / people

2

Weather / location

2

Personal recommendation

i would not recommend the university of giessen for any particular academical reasons, as i wasn't particularly impressed with it myself. i find the town of giessen a nice place, even if it isn't the most beautiful of place, because there's a good atmosphere, many students, and its size makes life there pleasant and not to stressful.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

3

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

2

Final comments

you can travel all over germany from giessen, because of its central geographical location. frankfurt and cologne are close by.

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Furuholm

University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
International Relations, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Overall

I wish I had known...

Due to obligations at my home university I arrived a week later than the other students. I had to deal with the bureaucracy alone, which took a lot of effort and not enoug information was given beforehand.

In my opinion:

Most people loved it.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

3

Culture

3

Costs

2

Activities

2

Campus life

2

Party / people

2

Weather / location

2

Personal recommendation

The teaching staff was very competent and professional. The institute of political science and international relations concenratated mainly on the issues concerning eastern Europe and the enlargement of the European Union. Courses on the subject were plenty, but other areas f.e. conflicts, development etc. were left aside.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

3

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

3

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

3

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

3

Final comments

At the end of the World War II Giessen was bombed very badly, so it does not live up to the image of a small German town. The town in itself was not very pleasant. On the positive side, it locates near Frankfurt, only 30 minutes by train. At the time of my stay the bus tickets were payed by the university, and this ticket covered not only the busses in Giessen, but the trains troughout the Hessen.

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Michael H

Université Bordeaux I Sciences et Technologies, Bordeaux, France
Environmental Sciences, Graduate, Independent

Overall

I wish I had known...

MOre details of courses

In my opinion:

Most people loved it.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

3

Culture

3

Costs

2

Activities

2

Campus life

3

Party / people

1

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

Exchange students have the possibilty to stay there as normal students after their exchange time runs out, which is what I did...

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

3

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

2

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

Travel by bus + train is free in an area roughly covering Hessen (the federeal state where Giessen is), which is great for discovering the region, as network is dense. Frankfurt is only 3/4 hour away... Student jobs are very easy to find and cover all (and I mean ALL) branches.

Useful | 1

Catherine M

University of the Pacific, Stockton, Ca, United States
Education, Primary, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

Not really, I would say that for the most part Giessen is a pretty friendly city, the people were really helpful. Just study up on the German culture so you won't have any embarrassing situations.

In my opinion:

Everybody loved it, you will too!

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

4

Costs

2

Activities

3

Campus life

2

Party / people

3

Weather / location

4

Personal recommendation

As a Sport Sciences student I found all of the professors very helpful. If you have a question or need help with something, it never hurts to ask. You tend to have to throw yourself into the student culture to be able to get to know the German students, I found you have to go to them and introduce yourself, they will not usually come to you.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

One thing I would say, is that even if you have a good knowledge of the language, attend the intensive language course offered by the AAA (Akademisches Auslandsamt), the people there are so nice and they will help you a lot. Plus you will make lifelong friends with the other international students there. Other than that, travel as much as you can, use the Schoenes Wochenende ticket through the Deutsche Bahn, it is the best deal for the weekends. But definatly check out how you can use the different deals with the trains, and look at Ryan Air for travel to other European countries, it's really cheap.

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ventouma

Pantion Panepistimio Kinonikon Kai Politikon Epistimon, Athens, Greece
Political Science, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Overall

I wish I had known...

That there was going to be a one-month student strike!

In my opinion:

Most people loved it.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

3

Culture

3

Costs

3

Activities

3

Campus life

1

Party / people

3

Weather / location

1

Personal recommendation

Small university city where erasmus students are very well organised by the host university.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

2

Final comments

Giessen is not a beautiful city. It would be preferable to choose the spring term to go to, or stay for the whole academic year, because it looks way better in spring/summer time.

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