From Potter to Potter and all parts in between Past Review
By Janelle H (Information Media, St. Cloud State University) for
St. Cloud State University: Alnwick - St. Cloud in England
100% worthwhile. I would go again in a heartbeat. No reservations.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our facilities in the castle were unsanitary. The food that was prepared for on-site meals and off-site meals was very substandard. I would have preferred to have my money back for the meals and purchased meals in town and support the local economy. I did not feel welcome to use the computer lab or library facilities in the campus part of the castle as we were made to feel like visitors to the program and not active participants like the students who had been there prior to our arrival. The coordinator, Wade, and his student assistant were rude and dismissive of our needs and requests. I wish Mert and Marcia could have been in charge of it all. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The castle arrangements were poor at best. We were each provided one, well-worn towel to last an entire week before linen exchange as well as one set of sheets. The rooms were standard dorm fare but bathrooms/showers were ridiculously unsanitary. There was black mold THICK around the shower stalls. There was NO ventilation to allow the area to completely air out and dry. The location of the housing, in proximity to town, was wonderful. We felt very safe walking to town alone or in groups during the day, evening or even at night. The taxis were prompt and courteous. I thought Alnwick was a lovely town and enjoyed getting to know it. The Quaker Inn in Grasmere was lovely. I wish we could have stayed there longer. Good choice! |
| * Food: |
We should have been given our money back so we could eat off site and support the local shops. Even when we were provided a sack lunch, I would take the candy bar and the beverage and throw out the rest or feed it to a local dog. Then I would have to purchase a meal somewhere else. So, essentially, I paid TWICE for the meal. Ridiculous. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | approximately $50 (not including souvenirs) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Rail tickets and ways to save money on those |
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?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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