Past Review
By Yonatan M (International Development, Clark University) for
University of East Anglia: Norwich - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
This program provided me with the opportunity to learn a different culture and lifestyles. Also, due to its geographical location, I was able to travel around Europe during the mid-semester break, thus getting a very good and wide-ranged cultural experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes themselves were interesting. However, the academic structure and grading system was quite different, which made things a bit confusing at first. One big difference that I did not like very much was that most classes tended to have more than one instructor teaching them, making student-teacher relations a bit difficult to grow. I also didn't like the high weight set on assesments, i.e. 50% of the mark on one exam. This put a lot of stress towards the end, and in a sense reduced motivation for doing well on other assignments. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a flat setting with 12 other students. In the same compound there were four other flats, each with 5-10 students, thus totalling around 40 students. Most of the students were local, i.e. British, with a few internationals, including Americans and other Europeans. The flat mates were all very friendly, and a real community was built in our area. One negative aspect was that there was only one kitchen to accomadate the 13 people living in my flat, with only two regular size refrigarators, making things a bit difficult in that area. |
| * Food: |
Almost all the food I ate was purchased at the supermarket. There was no meal plan option, and the food venues on campus were pretty over priced. Supermarket shopping, however, was reasonable, although that too was not cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
In my flat area, we organized many dinner parties, where people made different kinds of foods from their different backgrounds. One of my favorites was our Passover Seder, which I led, and was very succesful, with flatmates- Jewish and not, all participating. The drinking and partying culture is very big in England. Club nights and other similar events were not uncommon on week nights. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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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
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live 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? | Depending on one's course of study, many students would find academic satisfaction at UEA. There are many student organization organized events, which make for a good social experience. |
