References

For first-hand accounts and pre-arrival networking, you can initiate contact with future, current and former IUSP students through our group on Facebook.

For pictures and comments, we are grateful to be able to use the learning outcome of the "Web Publishing" class.  These photos were taken by IUSP students, and the project is called the The IUSP Marburg Blog.

We also have a Buddy Network! You would like to study in Marburg and you have questions? Please feel free to contact us and we will provide you with the email address of a former IUSP student at your university. That student can tell you about his/her experiences in Marburg.
 

Testimonials of former IUSP Students

"Marburg is a great place to study abroad. Make sure to try and budget, stay for two semesters if you can."

"Great time, probably the best of my life. The trips were fun and the people were awesome."

"Expect to have a lot of fun though."

"Don't study abroad to feel a sense of comfort. Instead study abroad to feel something new."

"It was a challenge adjusting to the culture but I learned a lot about people and myself."

"Although there was a problem with my acceptance and enrollment the IUSP program took quick action to fix the problem and make me feel comfortable."

"I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to experience the IUSP program."

"Everything has been amazing and I cannot put a value on all that I have seen and done with the program."

"I am looking forward to my second semester here with the IUSP."

"It is nice to have a small community within such a large university, especially as an exchange student."

"Get involved! You may have to step outside your comfort zone but it will be the best decision you've ever made."

"Enjoy your time abroad! There is no time to miss home, because who knows when you'll have the chance to study/go abroad again."

"It's a very well-run program and I learned a lot about Germany as a result. Resist the tendency to stay within the IUSP group. Some of my best experiences came from meeting and learning from Germans and other International students outside IUSP."

Tips from former to future IUSP students

Make sure you make the most of your time in Germany. If you aren't a person who goes out much, try to leave that behind, you can make great friends on the program but your time with them is limited, so you should try to spend as much time together as you can. That may sound strange to begin, but by the last week you will be wanting to spend every minute together.

Try to make friends with your neighbours and practice German conversation as much as possible. Make friends with Germans.

Watch your spending. Don't hang around people from your country.

Get a part of the Facebook group to get in touch with older IUSP students.

Don't spend all your time with other Americans! Try to meet Germans and other international students in your dorm and by getting involved in something, like taking a university sports class. Your German will improve faster and you will have more fun, too.

Plan for Sunday - everything is closed!

Communicate with the people in your living establishment and take part in the twin tandem program.

Travel! Explore! Make German friends outside of IUSP, you'll see more things and have more fun.

Be ready to be independent and take care of yourself. There is always someone around to help you if you need it but it's most beneficial when you learn things on your own. You learn German, about yourself and how to get things done.

Go to class, don't lose your keys, leaving your window open all the time will result in bugs, don't spend that much time in your dorm. If you could do it at home (surfing internet for hours, watching TV, playing video games), then you should wait till you're home to do it. You paid a lot to get here, make it a life changing experience. Meet a German.

Plan on travelling at the end of the program!

Buy a phone or minutes when you get here. German toiletries are different from the US, bring deodorant, etc.

Keep and open mind. Not everything goes as planned but everyone is supportive and here to help.

Marburg is a wonderful, beautiful place. You're sure to enjoy your time here. The staff is great.

Make the most of your time here. Really try to learn the language. It is great fun and awesome to be able to speak another language.

Come with an open mind and an eagerness to embrace a new culture. Try to practise your German with people, it helps so much. If you are staying for a year, find out if you must pay rent in between semesters.

Marburg is an amazingly beautiful city with so much to offer – take advantage of it. Also, it's important to get to know all of the IUSP exchange students, but make it a point to branch out to students from the other exchange programs. Finally, try to stay in Marburg as long as you can after the semester ends – you'll want that time to travel and spend as much time of your last days with your new friends.

Speak as much German as possible with the other IUSP members as well as German students. You almost have to force opportunities to speak it with IUSP students.

Budget well! Money is too easy to spend. Don't let a small class load fool you – don't procrastinate, keep up on reading and homework. Have fun! Make lots of German friends, they are great. Don't be afraid to try new things, that's why you're here!

Don't take anything for granted.

Bring plenty of money and be prepared to learn a new language and cultural history.

Watch out how you pay for things. Bank fees add up very quickly. Do not assume you will have Internet in your room.

Allow yourself to be open-minded about everything – people, situations, food … Everything! You'll have way more fun. And above all, practise your German! Germans are very nice and encouraging, and you will improve so much if you try.

Get used to the restricted internet. Bring a laptop.

Allow yourself between 2-4 weeks to really settle in. Everything will seem strange and difficult in the beginning, but those feelings pass. Do not judge anything too harshly in this time.

Do not expect the program to hold your hand. Many things (internet, transportation, dorm living) about the program are only mentioned but you have to figure out how to get them to work, find timetables, or press buttons until the washing machine starts working.

Enjoy the time you have here, because it is gone before you know it. Get involved! Explore as much as you can! You will not regret it!