Many new friends and connections..miserable atmosphere Past Review

By (English, University of Texas - San Antonio) - abroad from 01/19/2012 to 05/23/2012 with

Keele University: Staffordshire - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Worth it because I learned so much but I could have learned what I learned in a better environment. It was the loneliest I have ever been as well as the most depressed. I made amazing friends, grew out of my shell and matured. Again though, I feel like I could have have done that anywhere...and that I didn't have to be in the Keele environment..

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Totally unorganized, never really helped, we were almost completely on our own.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Unorganized. Lucky enough to be in a house but had no idea where i was living until I arrived. Many people were stuck in dorms that resembled prison.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Keele is not the best example of what England has to offer. Stoke on Trent is the second most undesirable place to live in England and Keele University is number one for suicides, There are better places UTSA could exchange with that could really showcase what England has to offer.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There's a reason we pay for health care in the US..

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • all the friends I made
  • I learned I can survive anything
  • I matured and grew as a person
* What could be improved?
  • New location!! way better places in Britain than Keele
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How desolate and terrible the village of Keele is.