My Queen's experience killed a lot of birds with one stone. Past Review
By Dietrich K (Presbyterian College) - abroad from 01/23/2012 to 06/05/2012 with
Queen's University Belfast: Belfast - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I looked to this experience as a way to spend time in a different culture, see what a bigger school is like, relax some academically, and pick up a new hobby. I successfully accomplished all of these goals and more. It was a very worthwhile experience. I learned that I can adapt to new environments quite quickly and learn something about anywhere.
Review Photos
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. |
The courses covered broad amounts of material, but because there were several professors, and nearly no work during the semester it was strange for me. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I don't know what this is addressing. Orientation was fine. After that I didn't need to ask administration for anything and the school is big enough to where they can't just check on everyone. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Elms Village allows you to meet more people than private housing would. However, it is comprised of only freshman and foreign kids so your kitchen and living space is filthy. Security is strict about closing gatherings down and only lets residents in or allows them to stay after 11pm. The showers were pretty crap and they turn off the heat and hot water heaters at night. |
| * Food: |
You have to cook it yourself. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I joined a club and through that was able to meet lots of locals. If it was dependent upon my classes and orientation, there would have been very little contact. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health issues to address.... |
| * Safety: |
Security didnt have guns but they were always about. Additionally scary police cars were always cruising around. I never heard of any problems. |
| 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) |
The pound is very strong compared to the dollar. Additionally things were generally just more expensive. The biggest surprise was the high taxes on alcohol even from the grocery store. Clothing was also expensive. I spent about $160 I think. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150? it varied a lot. I would start the week withdrawing 80 pounds and normally end up having to get more. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy things in the clearance section of tesco. Look for deals. Find things that are fun to do that don't involve alcohol. Centra and Subway have great lunch deals. Wetherspoons is the cheapest place to go out for a pint/meal. Tuesday is student night at the cinema, book in advance. |
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? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | I wish I would have known that the U.K. is pretty americanized.Additionally, I wish I would have known how expensive things can be. |
