Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing Subjects - Below Average Social Life Past Review

By (English Literature (British and Commonwealth)., University of Technology - Sydney / UTS) - abroad from 09/17/2012 to 12/20/2012 with

University of East Anglia: Norwich - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I went to learn, not make friends so in that sense it was a success.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really enjoyed the particular classes I had chosen - the teachers were knowledgable and friendly & the set texts diverse and interesting.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I came abroad with my boyfriend, and this meant I couldn't live on campus. There are not enough options for people who choose/need to do this & I also felt removed from uni life. Not enough effort is made to include people in my situation as it is assumed everyone will live on campus.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Being Australian, and having lived in the UK previously on a gap year I didn't find this an issue at all.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't need access to healthcare while on exchange, but my understanding is that the university has it readily available on campus should you need it.

* Safety:

As safe as any other normal city really.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Because I ended up having t live off campus, it cost me ridiculously.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get a second job before you go and become a hermit. Don't spend until you're overseas!

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? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International 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?
  • Informed teachers
  • Interesting set texts
  • Norwich itself
* What could be improved?
  • More off-campus living options
  • More interaction with people off-campus
  • The bus service
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Visa issues. There are a number of options, and they were never fully explained to me by anyone (from immigration to universities) and so I actually ended up with the wrong one.

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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Literature in History 1
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Instruction Language:
Comments: My biggest issue was that this was a first year subject & I was a third year student (at my home uni). It meant that there was a lot of focus on building writing skills & learning how to be a uni student, which I had already done. I was amazed at how little English school students seem to know upon entering university. Other than that, it was a well-rounded subject.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

18th Century Writing
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Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: I really didn't like this subject. I was very confused a lot of the time as to what its purpose was. I still have no real idea of what I was meant to have learnt! My tutor was also below average. Didn't engage well with the class, and didn't lead discussion at all.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Condition of England Novel
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Instructor:
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Comments: AMAZING! One of the best subjects I have studied both at UEA & my home university UTS. The texts selected for the course never disappointed, I had an incredibly engaging class, and I enjoyed the structure (2 hour seminars in small numbers rather than a lecture & tutorial).
Credit Transfer Issues: