Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Bristol: a vibrant and beautiful city Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/22/2019 to 06/14/2019 with

University of Bristol: Bristol - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile. I had to learn how to navigate living in a completely foreign city and attending a school that I was not at all familiar with beforehand. Doing so taught me a lot myself and how to live independently and what to do when problems arise and there's no one you can turn to for help. In addition, being in England taught me a lot about English culture and, by comparison, American culture.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • location
  • academics
  • social life
* What could be improved?
  • support from Bristol study abroad office
  • opportunities to interact with Bristol (local) students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known more about how academics would work. While I knew the university system in the UK functioned differently in the US, I feel like I could've been more prepared to confront these differences. While I didn't find academics particularly difficult, and it was actually interesting to learn how students in other countries learn, I wasn't fully prepared for all my classes to be 100+ person lectures and to have one exam that would count for 100% of my grade in some of my classes.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!