Leeds -- The Best Experience Few Take Advantage Of Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

While it was recommended to take intro-level courses as a study abroad student, I was able to challenge myself with harder courses that pushed me to a new level of learning. The seminar-style classes made new material accessible with strong peer connections.

On-site administration of your program

Rachel, the cutest on-site director (whom I lovingly called Mom), was easy to reach and always looking for activities to meet our interests. Anna stepped in when Rachel had to go to the US for work, and she was super snazzy with great recommendations for diving into British media and tips for navigating university.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

While the only common area was the kitchen and the hallways were small, living in the Lupton Flats meant you had instant friends in your flatmates. API works really hard to get you with British students, and that really made my experience exceptional. Instead of falling into tourist traps, I learned all the best local secrets.

Rachel supplies recipes in the facebook group, which is super helpful if you go to Leeds and aren't a chef because you'll be in charge of cooking in your flat. There are restaurants (Nando's <3) right around the corner from the flat, as well as grocery stores, and England is big on letting you know where your food came from.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Living with British students made social/cultural integration so much smoother and more natural. Plus, attending your lectures/seminars gives you more of a feel of life at Leeds, because you're just up the road from city centre where life is poppin'. API offers diverse excursions based on the interests in the student group, like a play in city centre, a traditional English breakfast in Headingley, and an afternoon tea at the Grand Arcade, so you will not leave the country without an idea about the English life.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I fell ill twice while being abroad (which is really unusual), but the API team is more than willing to help you navigate steps to getting better, and the care options are listed in the digital handbook. The housing is near two pharmacies and the city transportation can get you to a facility for care.

It is made common knowledge of any potentially unsafe spots, but good friends will travel in packs with you and ask for a text when you get where you're going. Campus has many options for getting back to your flat safe after a night out, like certain cabs will take your ID if you cannot pay for a ride, and you can pay at the student union the next day to get your ID back. Both API and Uni Leeds work to keep their students safe, and have the resources to do so successfully.

The five months I spent in Leeds were the best of my life. I learned and lived beside English students. I got to taste their food and their culture. I saw London and Paris and Liverpool and Edinburgh. The API team works incredibly hard to guarantee events to excite every student in the program, so I saw a show at the Leeds Playhouse and had afternoon tea in the Grand Arcade. The University challenged me to go beyond my comfort in learning, and welcomed me to seminar each week with a literal cup of tea from my theatre professor. My discussions with other study abroad alumni tell me all programs are amazing, but none top Leeds with API.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I wasn't very good with money leading up to my semester abroad, so I not only learned a thing or two about saving money, but budgeting money for trips and necessities. If you're smart about food shopping and save money where you can (walk instead of busing to campus, eat at home, take turns with your flatmates buying supplies for the flat), it's fairly easy to get by. My birthday also fell in the semester, as did tax returns, so that gave a little monetary boost in the middle of the term.

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• Apartment

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• Local Students

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• International Students

• Excursions
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• Pre-Departure Communication

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