Past Review
By Joshua B (HISTORY., Hamline University) for
Hamline University: York - University of York
It was worthwhile in that I got to experience another university system in a different country. The most rewarding aspect of my study abroad experience was from outside the classroom where I met people from around the world, either traveling or living in the places I went. I learned so much about European culture, and other cultures of the world, that I know I am a better person for having gone to York.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I didn't really learn anything in the classroom. The course requirements were few and the workload was laughable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We all met to go over important things about enrolling at university and about York in general. There was no more face to face contact afterwards. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Single dorm on campus at university. I had a larger than average room that was equipped with a sink and wardrobe. Kitchens, toilets, and showers were communal and worked out just fine. <br /><br /> Can't really complain about my living situation as far as the facilities. The people on my floor were very noisy and are the only reason housing does not get a 5. |
| * Food: |
Every night was either pasta or curry. The curry was good but a little variety would have been nice. Also, the English don't seem to place a lot of emphasis on eating fruit, so I had to go out of my way to find it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I learned so much more from sitting in pubs or conversing with fellow students. The York program is great for this reason because there is so much free time, and so little emphasis placed on school, that I had loads of free time to learn about English culture, or even other foreign students' cultures. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe at university and in York. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You have to be ready for paying for everything, nothing comes free in Europe. Not to mention, the conversion rate from the U.S. dollar to the pound is always awful. I would say that you should conservatively put away 50% more money in your bank account than you think would be enough, especially if you plan on traveling. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | York is a great city to live in and the people there are great. The university is very subpar compared to American universities, but I think that most English universities are of the same fabric, so I won't say that you should go somewhere else in England over York. You'll learn a lot while studying at York, but it won't be in the classroom. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
From Feasting to Fasting, From Sipping to Puking: Food and Drink Culture in England 1525-1725 |
| Course Department: | History |
| Instructor: | Jenner |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The entire course was based on a final paper that was turned in during week 10 of the term and could be no more than 2000 words. The short length of the paper coupled with the lax attitude of class made this course not only easy, but educationally unfulfilling. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No. |
