Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life as a Bathonian March 08, 2026

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/25/2025 to 12/13/2025 with

Advanced Studies England: Bath - ASE Study Centre

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Despite being on my own for the last three years, study abroad is when I first felt like a real adult. Leaving the safety bubble of Wellesley was incredibly eye-opening, and allowed me to exercise freedom I never had before. I also got the chance to travel to various places I hadn't even dreamed of visiting, and it was heartwarming to be able to gift my younger self that experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really enjoyed the tutorial system, and was able to focus deeply on a subject that I may not have had the opportunity to study so intently elsewhere.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Beautiful Georgian houses

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

ASE didn't make much of an effort to initiate any social/cultural immersion with anyone outside of the program, which were all Americans. Any relationships I made, I had to find on my own, which was difficult given how tight-knit they seemed to want us to be.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

NHS can be hard to navigate as a foreigner

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I met some wonderful people that I will cherish for a long time to come, and I was able to foster my independence in a way that leaves me grateful for Bath.

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? $35
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Work and save beforehand, and be frugal with your spending. I still treated myself more than I would at home, and traveled a bunch, while being cautious of how much I was spending as a low-income independent student.

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?
  • Subsidized class trips
  • Fun activities
  • Walkable city with everything you need
* What could be improved?
  • Social/cultural integration
  • Less micro-managing
  • More diversity
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That your days are filled with people who are also American and from Liberal Arts schools - they didn't feel much different from the community at Wellesley, and I wanted something different.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.