Newcastle...Party central, little room for learning. Past Review
By Julie W (Fashion Design, Columbus College of Art & Design) for
Northumbria University: Newcastle Upon Tyne - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes. I think any experience is worth while. If you feel that it is not, you make it worth while yourself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Northumbria spends an entire semester on one assignment for each module, which I find incredibly unnecessary. With so much time being spent, motivation is easily lost. I was not assigned my classes until the day classes began, even though I continuously emailed the design office the week before, informing them that I had arrived and was eager to know my schedule. I felt as though I was playing catch-up the whole semester, because all the classes I was placed in were year long classes and I arrived for the second semester. It was great to be abroad, so I could easily travel and see new places, but I was not pleased with Northumbria University's form of education. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
One instructor was most helpful, although not very. Instructors were more concerned with the 4th year students who continuously interrupted our learning time. I felt as though my learning experience was not very important since I would only be here for one semester. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The house felt safe, but were incredibly loud at all hours during any night of the week. Students were always throwing parties and disrupting my sleep/study time. There was nobody to talk to about the issue. I had to call a phone number (to reach security) and talk with a man who's accent was too strong to understand. Then I had to guess over the phone where the noise was coming from. It was ridiculous. |
| * Food: |
We were responsible for our own food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Unless drinking is what your life revolves around, there doesn't seem to be much else to do in Newcastle. No live music. Very few art shows, Very little to get a community involved. Just binge drinking in techno clubs and shopping. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It seems like a safe place to be. It's mostly students. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Expect to learn from the experience. Not the education. |
