Quarter-Life Crisis (An adventurous and exciting one!) Past Review

By (Botany, Plant Biology, Truman State University) - abroad from 09/18/2015 to 12/18/2015 with

College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS): Ormskirk - Edge Hill University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
As I said above, I learned more than what I can put into words. Even though I came back to the States pennyless, I would not change my experience!

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.

The courses in the UK were set up differently than the US, so that the classes had a lot of downtime, with two weeks straight of hard work. So the academic rigor was a bit spontaneous.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The study abroad team in England were FANTASTIC! They would bend over backwards to help you in any way they could, and were hilarious to talk to!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The rooms were very old and cramped, and were definitely the worst housing on Edge Hill's campus.

* Food:

While the selection was not great, the food was really good (despite people usually finding England's food bland). Also, the people who worked in the dining areas were so delightful!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I spent a lot of my time with other study abroad Americans, but when I was in my classes I really delved into the culture and saw how the English live.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Had no health issues

* Safety:

I felt really safe on campus.

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

My overall experience at Edge Hill University has changed my perspective on life. I not only found myself, but found out how much more there is to the world! This program helped me achieve these things by being the backbone and support I needed to see and experience what I did.

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? ~$3000, but I traveled every weekend
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save up as much as you can the months before you study abroad, because you'll wish you had an endless paycheck to see and taste and experience everywhere you go! Also, talk to locals to see easy transportation around the area, and really utilize cheap airfare!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • New and exciting experiences
  • Seeing new cultures and how other people live
  • Having constant support
* What could be improved?
  • Living arrangements
  • Communication before flying over to host country
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known what a crazy adventure it would have been. Though this is very difficult for someone to understand, I think that if I had talked to more people who studied abroad, I would have grasped this concept more.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The 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.