A spectacular British memory (in an American bubble) January 27, 2023

By A student (History; International and Global Studies; Studio Art, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/28/2022 to 12/17/2022 with

Advanced Studies England: Bath - ASE Study Centre

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned to have autonomy, and to navigate a foreign country with my own wits and judgment. I made sure to exit my comfort zone and undertake things I wouldn't have previously believed I could do, and after which I could think back with pride.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No If I forgot my experience, I would try it again; but having done it, I've cherished my wonderful experiences and want to satisfy new curiosities awakened by my time there.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	Food cost the equivalent of about $90-110 per week (without restaurants); other expenses were less than half of that (apart from outings)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Go to restaurants sparingly.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	The bonds of peers Freedom to explore Field trip opportunities
* What could be improved?	Cultural integration (mingling more with British students) More accessibility between student residences A slightly higher stipend for food.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That paper banknotes were going to expire in late September.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Myths and Legends in Britain and Ireland
Course Department:	English
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course-load was extensive, but the material was only as challenging as my argumentative ambition allowed it to be. It did make great use of its location and conducted quite special and relevant field trips. The teacher was highly knowledgeable in her field, though I did not participate more than I usually did because of structural shortcomings in the class. The teacher's preparation was not adequately suited to the nature of the class. Class discussions inconsistently pertained to the material and long tangents deprived us of meaningful time to explore the texts. We were assessed in papers and exams, however the papers were critically compromised by the teacher's poor grading methods. One peer who received a poor grade on their essay informed me the teacher admitted that she let her personal life cloud her grading judgment. Often she misconstrued the language in an essay to represent a falsehood, despite the student's phrasing to the contrary, and let her own disagreement with arguable claims affect her final marks on an essay. I was left with a very poor impression of her teaching methodology, which unfortunately failed the standards promised by her high knowledge and the well-structured curriculum which the ASE provided. She was otherwise an expert in her field, with a contagious passion and an amiable attitude in class, but substandard as an instructor relative to other tutors I had whilst in England.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Modern British Political History
Course Department:	History/Political Science
Instructor:	Dr. Martin Meenagh
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	An exciting, engaging, and thrilling course taught by an experienced and highly-accomplished tutor with an encyclopedic knowledge of his subject. The class incorporated individual projects, in which we researched relevant topics to present to the class the next day, as well as detailed analyses of British political subjects as presented by the tutor. The class size was only four, which allowed for a brilliant and specialized interaction with the tutor, who always made time to answer our questions without hesitation. The density of information made the class rigorous, while a study trip to London (including the Houses of Parliament) provided an unforgettable complement to our lessons in Bath. The small class size allowed me to participate far more often than in my institution in America. We were assessed through papers and exams, with wonderful liberty afforded to us for selecting relevant topics and exploring them through our own arguments. The atmosphere was welcoming, inviting, and encouraging of all participation, regardless of any questions related to the material. The class was intellectually satisfying and excellent in all respects.
Credit Transfer Issues: