All my life, I've always wanted to study aboard. My college has an excellent program through ISEP (International Student Exchange Program). I was planning on going to New Zealand but the way my major classes are lined up vs. theirs, it just wouldn't work. Same goes with other places too. So, I've decided to do a summer program (next summer) and study a language and culture and I've narrowed down my choices. 1. Germany. 2. Italy. 3. France. Each has their own pros and cons, for example: the summer programs in Italy and France don't require me to know any of the language but the one in Germany requires some German. I would still take a class in either Italian or French so I'm not totally lost if I chose one of them. And the community college I went to before the college I'm at now offers French and Italian classes. The classes are $139 + supplies. They do not offer German. They are offering French 1 over the summer. The French class starts next week. The Italian class starts in September. I'm also taking a math class over the summer but I think I would be able to handle both French and math vs. my booked fall schedule that includes Chem 1 and Bio 2 + Italian.

All that being said: I've always wanted to learn German. I think the German language is really neat and I have always wanted to go to Germany. I could look into either Rosetta Stone or maybe another place that teaches German.

So, here's where you come in. Given those 3 choices, which on would you pick? Why? I'm completely open to others' opinions and will take each response with major thought.

Thank you very much. And if this is in the wrong place, feel free to move it.

Dude, funny you should say Germany, it's next on my to-go list. I'm taking a German class right now :)

On the downside, I would say German's a good deal more difficult than French (dunno about Italian), but it's a really cool language and it's not studied quite as often as the other two. I feel like you're in a difficult position since you're required to know some but can't take a class at your school. Still, if you end up leaning towards Germany, it's worth a shot.

I guess I'm biased because I have a couple of good friends from there and I have my heart set on going, but it honestly seems like a really cool place. I hear Berlin is fantastic. And there's lots of cheap beer, apparently :P PLUS you're basically in the middle of Europe. Even if you're not studying in France or Italy, it'll still be very easy to get there during a break or something.

Other things to look at would just be expenses, weather, and whether there's any big difference between the universities (one might be huge and in a big city, another might be in a smaller town etc.)

Dunno if this helps even at all, but I think it's cool that you're going abroad and good luck deciding! You can't really go wrong.

All I can say is: if you need help with French, send me a smail. Othwewise, good luck :) I never studied abroad.

Hard choice, that. Is there information on where in the counties you will be staying? Because that'll probably help influence your decision. I'd say go with the culture/language you're most interested in. Find out how much German 'some German' is, and see if it's doable to learn off your own back (whether self taught or private lessons or something else).

Personally I'd pick Italy, because I've never been there and would find the culture more interesting. Germany feels like a very 'normal' - for a lack of a better descriptor lol - country to me. While it'd be the one I'd get on best in as I took German for 5 years and have been there already, I'd prefer to visit a southern European country.

Also it's 'abroad', sorry! Just in case it wasn't a typo. Don't want you making mistakes if you gotta apply for this kind of thing :P

PS, Rosetta Stone is pretty expensive and I'm not a huge fan. A friend recommended duolingo to me and it's practically the same format for free.

But as with most things the best way to pick it up is to try to speak the language (I'm sure people hold conversation groups), read stuff, watch subtitled movies etc.

German still has some similarity to english so truthfully, I'd find it easier to learn than French or Italian. That said, I actually can read a bit of french( took French as my second language in highschool) and found it to be a very difficult language to learn, grammatically at least. Speaking, I imagine is quite different from writing though.

But based solely on non-language concerns I'd probably end up picking between Italy or France just because I love renaissance artwork and gothic churches and architecture and all that stuff...

What are you taking your major in? Biochemistry or something similar ('cuz Bio 2 and Chem 1 :D)? Just had a look on your profile.. xD' Are you planning to do a complete term or only some weeks? I'm assuming you're from USA.

Personally I'd have a look at the possible programs and the surroundings of the city I'd stay in. If I visit another country I want to see as much as possible in my spare time (like the capital cities, famous museums&places). And as far as I know the French hate to speak English, you are probably better of in Italy or Germany xD (German chemistry student here!)

That's so awesome. I've always wanted to go there. My sister took a German class in college and it seemed really neat. The program I'm looking into is in Braunschweig (pronounced Brunswick). It's right in middle of Germany. I believe there is a weekend trip to Berlin. I have heard German is harder to learn but I was hoping that because it's a language I want to learn, I would be quicker to pick it up. Italy.

I also looked in Rosetta Stone and it is expensive. I think they want a basic understanding of the language, so I will look into that program. Thank you!

I'll keep that in mind if I pick France. Thank you!

Yes, there are country hand books on the ISEP website I've been reading and rereading and comparing. This is a copy and past from the site: "The A1 and A2 level is intended for participants who have a basic knowledge of the German language. The course will focus on conversation skills". So maybe some phrases and how the grammar works. It is a good question though. I'll look more into it and if I can't find anything, I'll ask the lady at thee ISEP office.

I'm thinking Italy because there is more history there. Much of Germany has been rebuilt because of WWII. But you do why I'm stuck between the two. One hand I've always wanted to learn German but on the other hand, it's Italy. Same goes with France but I have more interest in Germany and Italy.

And yes, that was a type-o XD. I was falling asleep while making the thread. I was waiting for my laundry to dry before going to bed lol. I'll fix it as soon as I post this.

A lot words in German do look and sound similar to English. My best friend took French in college and she has a hard time with it and barely passed.

I love places with history, which France and Italy both have. Whatever I pick will be epic. My sister thinks Italy sounds the best and I do like the Italian language but I keep getting drawn back to German.

Yes, I'm from the US. Biochemistry is very similar to Medical Technology. The program in Germany is in Braunschweig. The program in France is in Chambéry, which is close to the German boarder. The program in Italy is in Milan, which is in northern Italy. I know there are weekend trips to Berlin and Hannover for the German program and there is a weekend trip to Rome for the Italian. I don't know if there are weekend trips in France. Depending on the program, I'll be there from 4-7 weeks.

I do agree with wanting to see as much as possible. I went to England about 10 years ago and even though I was in London for several days, I still feel like I missed a large part of it. I really want to see as much as possible while I'm there.

I've heard the French get kind of rude to Americans if they are trying to practice French while Germans appreciate the attempt. I'm not sure about Italians.

That's awesome! Where in Germany are you? (if you don't mind me asking). Thank you all for the replies. I will take everything in serious consideration.

Come to Braunschweig. That's were I'm studying. End of discussion. xD

Decision made! lol I'm kidding. Maybe. I'm not sure XD.

But you would recommend Braunschweig for an American? Excellent. I'll keep that in mind.

I don't know any Americans here lol But I think you can't do anything wrong with "exploring" history here. I just took a look at the program, (thanks to google :D) and IMO the program is really well done. The days will be quite long, but you get to see a lot.

Awesome. I'm used to long days, so that would be fine. It looks like they offer a lot, which is what I want. From everything I've researched, ISEP is an excellent program. The lady at my school is great and has been very helpful so far.

I did a semester abroad and a summer program during college. I haven't been to Germany but I have visited France and Italy.

The time away is going to fly! I suggest Italy because it sounds like you should save Germany for a bit later in life (when you'll have more expendable time and funds saved up instead of spent on the courses) so you can really be free to enjoy and explore it. (Maybe a summer graduation trip, idk.) I liked France but my pick for you is Italy because in addition to liking it there too, one of my flatmates really raved about her experiences there during her summer program. She actually did a summer program in Italy and then a semester abroad in London right after it and she didn't have enough good things to say about Italy while we studied in England. She learned a lot about Rome and even went to other parts of the country and did things like visiting the ruins in Pompeii.

The French in Paris (service-industry people at least) speak good English and the people I encountered appreciated my conversational-level ability from high school (funny waiters and cabbies mainly). It never hurts to make an effort in a foreign country in that regard imo so I'd get a book of useful phrases for wherever you decide on. :)

It really will fly by. The 4 weeks I was in England flew by. My best friend and I are planning on going back to England when I graduate and I'm planning on going to China with my cousin in 5 years.

I would love to visit Rome and the ruins of Pompeii. I have always wanted to go to both. The program I'm looking into is in Milan, which is in northern Italy. It looks like it's a couple hours away from Rome.

You have given me something to consider, so thank you!

You're welcome!

I'm dying to see China someday and England is my favorite place.

I know Milan is famous for its fashion and food and it's a great place for history buffs. I'm sure a program there would be amazing too and it wouldn't be that hard to see some other parts of Italy.

I can't wait to go back to England. It's been 10 years since the trip and when I became friends with my best friend. China will be really neat too but my cousins are warning me not to get too excited because it's a poor country. They want to take their daughter for her 16th birthday and show her where she is from.

I'm hearing so many good things about Milan, which is why I'm thinking of going there. I'm drawn between Germany and Italy at the moment. Both offer great programs and both are amazing countries. There is a 4 week and a 6 week program in Italy, so my thought is maybe do the 4 week program and stay for a week and do the important tourist things so I don't make it to Rome during the 4 weeks.

That's a really wonderful thing for your family to do. A film festival I worked for screened Somewhere Between (a documentary about Chinese adoptees) and it was so moving. I want to see the Great Wall personally. Hong Kong and Macau seem lovely too. China is a place of insane wealth and crippling poverty but countries like that are so eye-opening. I felt that way about being in India.

Your tentative ideas for Italy are great. Time at the end to explore on your own sounds very smart. If you do go, make another Italy suggestions thread for the last leg of your journey. I already endorse the Vatican Museums, especially the Map Gallery there. (I bet other users would have good tips for Germany too.)

I'll have to check that out and let my cousin know about it. I really want to see the Great Wall and the panda sanctuaries. Jasmin (my cousin's daughter) is looking forward to seeing the Great Wall the most. She would like to see where she is from but I think it's hard for her because she knows she'll never find her family. At least this way, she'll have an understanding of her heritage. It will defiantly be a trip of a life-time.

I would defiantly the Vatican (even though I was brought up as Lutheran and don't practice anything anymore XD). I also have to check out the Coliseum and bath houses. I got to take a tour of the bath house in Bath, England and it was really amazing.

I live in France and let me just say it is the most amazing yet simultaneously frustrating place in the world. And while I have only lived in Germany for a few months, I would pick Germany over France any day.

I have never been in Italy, but I'm German and could tell you a lot about Germany and could give you some tips, especially for Hamburg :) Maybe I could even help you with learning German :)