Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The LCR, a castle and very little contact class time: UEA has it all. Past Review

By (Victoria University of Wellington) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 05/31/2013 with

University of East Anglia: Norwich - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile moving to Norwich to attend UEA. I loved the cohesiveness and comprehensiveness of the campus and its services, I thought the town was really sweet and I made lots of really good friends. I also gained an appreciation for some aspects of my own uni, and gained independence and confidence in my organisational abilities.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was really lucky that the flat I was placed in was a friendly one- everyone was close and willing to accept a new person in and socialise with them. However, other international friends I made were not so lucky and found it hard to connect with their housemates who mostly kept to themselves.

* Food:

Like being able to cook for myself rather than have to move backwards to hostel food, as students have to do when they move to Wellington on exchange programmes.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Flatmates (11 british students) very much took care of this!

* 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)

Living costs in Norwich are relatively low- food is cheap and living on campus kept transport costs low.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $60 NZD- but wasn't being tight on myself

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

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Meeting British students
  • Meeting International students
  • Not having too much class
* What could be improved?
  • International student society gatherings
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That international students can take special versions of some papers that enable them to be internally assessed, giving them more time to travel during exam period.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.