Past Review
By Kelsey W (Communication and Media Studies., St. Cloud State University) for
St. Cloud State University: Alnwick - St. Cloud in England
Despite some of the downsides, it was amazing and I miss it every single day. I am now even more fascinated in the countries I traveled to and my perception on America are much different. Our way isn't the only way and half the time it probably isn't even the best way.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Our professors were incredibly knowledgeable. And passionate about their field. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our advisor over there is a really fantastic guy, but he has a lot on his plate. I feel like St. Cloud underestimates exactly how much work it is for one man. Also, there are difficult politics to navigate when living in the residence of a Duke. The University needs to keep these things in mind. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We had everything a regular dorm has but but there definitely could be some improvements. The furniture is old, the library is falling apart (There is a historic fireplace in the library that desperately needs restoring as it is one of the few created by that architect left in existence). I don't understand how the area around the Atwood theater here on campus gets all new furniture when in England we don't even have desks! We had to sit in plastic chairs for all of our classes with no table space at all for our books to rest. |
| * Food: |
It was different than home but that's to be expected. Peter, our cook, is a fantastic fellow. Though it did get a little boring after a while. Potatoes can only be eaten so many ways. As the semester dwindled down we were served sandwiches a lot, which isn't Peter's fault 'cos he was sick. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was great, only as I've said before we didn't make as many connections with the locals as I'd have liked. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Health issues were alright, though a few students came down with the swine and unless their roommate looked after them they really got no attention. The health care over there is free so that was never a worry. And we lived in a medieval fortified castle so security wasn't much of an issues either. |
| 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? | I have no idea what I spent each week. ....Maybe 10 to 15 pounds? |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The cost of travel is WAY more expensive than they made it seem. And they tell you in the program initial meetings that it doesn't cost much more than a regular semester here. LIES. If you want to travel while you are over there and not live on toast and oranges (which I had to do for a while) you're gonna rack up a bill. I spent about $1800 on my credit card while over there and I lived with bare minimums. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Language was not an issue in England. |
Other Program Information
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Figure out about all the local goings on and how to get to them. I missed a lot that was happening in and around Alnwick and I wish I hadn't. NEVER turn down an opportunity to go somewhere or try something just to save money. It is ALWAYS worth it to spend more to experience more. If it comes to a choice of seeing Ireland or the Highlands of Scotland, pick Scotland every time. I've never been anywhere I love so much as the highlands. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
British History |
| Course Department: | History |
| Instructor: | Christine Mitchell |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | I learned more from Christine in those four months than I have learned in any other class before or since. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no. |
