It will change your life and make you see the world with new eyes. Past Review
By A student (Psychology, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 01/20/2016 to 06/10/2016 with
Keele University: Staffordshire - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I think the more apt question would be what didn't I learn or gain from my experience abroad. I learned how to navigate public transport systems, got comfortable asking for directions and help in general, I learned how to truly be independent as it was the first time I couldn't call home if I was frustrated, hurt or ill; I learned how other people in a completely different modernized society live their lives and adapted to aspects which could make mine better. How could it not be worthwhile? I'll never look at other cultures the same again, I wont even look at my own culture the same again.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Grading was very different. At first, you feel like the semester will be a breeze when you find out that passing is 40%, but towards finals you start to understand why passing is 40%. You really have to work for your grades. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I fractured my foot while abroad and the on campus clinic took care of me without a worry. |
| * Safety: |
The campus is one of the safest in the UK, however there were some late night incidents with unstable drunk individuals near or in my building that definitely could have been handled better by campus security and local police. When two floors of young women are too scared to leave their room for a large portion of the night - there is something wrong. |
| 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) |
This answer will be different for everyone, if you have help from relatives I'm sure you'll be just fine but if you're self-funded like me then you'll need to budget your expenses. I worked 3 jobs for a year for this trip and it was time and money well spent. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make friends with other study abroad students and share as much with them as possible (like cooking utensils), also make a lot of local friends so that you can check to see if you're paying too much for things while shopping. |
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
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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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It wont be as hard to make friends as I thought it would be and while travelling is exhilarating it's so incredibly exhausting. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
