When in England, do as the English! Past Review
By Nora D (Political Science and Government., Illinois State University) for
Canterbury Christ Church University: Canterbury - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I absolutely know my experience was worthwhile. I might have been poor for the last month I was there, but it was all worth it. I have come to understand and see that The United States is perceived in many ways. To some extent, I feel as though we are a little too involved in our own domestic issues to really notice what else is going on abroad in other countries: how other countries really perceive the United Sates. I came to realize that America may be the leader in the world, but it does not define our world itself. Our world is huge; encompassing other cultures, traditions, ideals, values, and politics. We as human beings have to stop being so self absorbed in our own little worlds, and start looking at the overall big picture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload was mostly based on end of the term papers which I was mostly prepared for since it was assigned to us at the beginning of the year. There were warnings that the English system of grading is a little more harsh than the American way. There are not very many A+ in the English grading system. However, since we were foreign, I felt like the instructors were a little more lenient with us in the sense that they tried to give us the grade they thought we would receive at our home institutions for the same paper. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
More than happy with the quality of the classes and their instructors along with their material. The actual study abroad administration in charge of us were very helpful and were willing to help us out when ever needed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived with about 30 other Americans in a dorm house to be exact called Vernon Place. It was great, very family knit house. However, there were instances when the fire alarms would go off and they were not scheduled routine alarms. There was also another nightmarish instance when a couple sink pipes burst and engulfed a couple student's rooms in water. We were out in the cold for most of the night that night. The I felt the neighborhood was safe and campus was only about a 15 minute walk in the morning if that. The library was also very close, about a 5 min walk. I did not need to buy cookware, sheets, nor any bedding stuff. They were all provided for me. |
| * Food: |
I mostly bought my food from Tesco and made my food at home along with alot of other students. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was all wonderful. I had great field trips and traveled a lot in my spare time. It was all memorable. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe, England is one of the top countries in the word, I didn't really fret much about it. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about 150 pounds on food and eating out (when I did). That also includes going out during the night life. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Remember that conversion rate! When you see something for 4 pounds, you really are not getting a deal out of it and paying 4 dollars. In reality, you are paying more like 7 dollars for that said item. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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