Hiking Great Britain: a Literary and Physical Journey Past Review
By A student (Biology, General., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 04/29/2013 to 06/20/2013 with
Brigham Young University: Traveling - British Literature & Landscape
I learned so much about literature and writing from my excellent professors. I got to see so many things in Scotland, Wales, and England. I hiked through pastures, woods, and climbed mountains. I made very good friends with the 25 or so people I came with and hiked with. This experience was one of the most worthwhile things I have ever done.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Courses were not particularly difficult and I received little feedback from professors on my work, but learning was rich and studies were rewarding. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Due to the nature of the program (we were constantly moving), it was slightly disorganized, but structured enough to create an effective learning environment. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Stayed in youth hostels and B&Bs across the country. Some were better than others. Most were acceptable. |
| * Food: |
We shopped for our own food, so it depended on what we got from the grocery store. Sometimes we had breakfast served by YHA hostels, which was pretty delicious. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since we were hiking as a group all the time, we had limited opportunities to interact with the locals. We learned much about local history and about literature, however. In London, we became quite familiar with the subway system. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
A few different people got sick over the course of the program and they found access to pharmacies and doctors as needed. I myself did not have any experiences with local healthcare, so I cannot really speak on that point. There were no prevalent health issues in the host country and I did not get any specific vaccines for this program. |
| * Safety: |
Every place we stayed felt quite safe. In large cities like London, pickpocketing is always a concern--keep your money and personal belongings safe. The hiking we did on the study abroad was strenuous at times, so be prepared for activities with proper footwear, raingear, etc. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
Quite easily. Most meals are provided with program cost. You have to buy some meals yourself, but everything else is included in program cost. Just control yourself with souvenirs... |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $15-50, depending on what sorts of gift shops we came across. Some weeks, we were in the wilderness, so I spent no money. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Avoid gift shops unless the site has significant value to you. Know your limits. Be careful to adjust to GBP. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Good raingear is a must. You will need a waterproof shell jacket/trousers/hiking boots. Do not wear cotton if you don't have to. Pack sunscreen. Carry plenty of water. Always pack a hearty lunch. Keep a journal every single day. The schedule is always subject to change. Do not overpack. Laundry facilities are limited. Always have some change on you. Bring an extra duffel bag for souvenirs. You will find that you can do things you never thought you could on this trip--it will test you in ways you didn't realize. You will make friends you will keep. Enjoy every moment. Loosen up. Soak it up while you can. :) It's an adventure; make the most of the good and the bad. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
