Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

UK: Fantastic Abroad Experience! Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Middlebury College) for

University of East Anglia: Norwich - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, I learned independence, time management, and friendship. It was a school focused on English. I was able to figure out my thesis project based on the modernism class I took.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was comprable to that of Middlebury College except for the structure (it was more independent). We were required to read a certain number of selected texts by the end of the term and were graded on two papers: one around 1500 words and the other around 2000. The grading was much more nitpicky than that of the American system. Also, lectures and discussions were quite comprable to Middlebury College

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Accessibility was limited and due to the size of the university, problems were not addressed quickly. Still, I didn't have any huge issues.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a flat with ten other british students. They were all first years and was immediatley integrated into class and nightlife. I needed to buy cookware but it was cheap and the flat was well furnished.

* Food:

British food is awful. I cooked for myself and even that was difficult. learn lots of recipes before you go.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I traveled to Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Dublin, and the social atmosphere provided by the british first years was fantastic.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I didn't really have any experience with the healthcare.

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)

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
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • The food.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Really get to know the local british students, try not to stick too much with the other americans as it will deepen your understanding of abroad.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Medieval Writing
Course Department: LDC 2Y15
Instructor: Tom Rutledge
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was the most challenging due to the difference of language with regard to Old English but the professor was amazing. I participated about as much as I normally would.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

17th Century Writing
Course Department:
Instructor: Jo Poppleton
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The challenging part of this course was the amount of history that needed to be learned. Since I was unfamiliar with british history, this class was the most difficult and the least enjoyable. Still, the professor was fantastic.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Modernism
Course Department:
Instructor: Kate Campbell
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Fantastic course! Great reading list, great professors. They were a bit tough grading wise but it was fantastic.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.