Once in a lifetime experience! Past Review

By (Creative Writing, University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 01/07/2015 to 06/13/2015 with

University of East Anglia: Norwich - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This experience has taught me so much about the world we live in, the thoughts and values of people from different cultures, and allowed me to grow as a person. Through traveling, I saw and learned about the history of multiple countries and cultures. In many places I saw how their past is still a part of their culture. For instance, I knew nothing about Hungary but after visiting and learning about their past I saw how it still plays a role in their culture today. Hungary was communist until 1992 and it was fascinating to not only see the differences in architecture around the city of Budapest, but also to see the differences in the people. Much of the older generation appears cold and reserved. This is a result of living under communism for most of their lives. Living in England also helped me to see how different cultures, even ones that seem similar to our own, have a different way of thinking. My flatmates would sit around the table discussing real issues in the world for hours. They were always open to hear each others opinions and loves when others would contribute to the conversations. They had well though out ideas and views on the world, ideas that I had never considered and were new to me. I loved sitting with them and a cup of tea, talking about things that matter until the late hours of the night. My classrooms also had different ways of thinking. It took me a while to adjust to their system and what they expect but it helped to show me that there are many ways to approach a topic and to always question everything. They taught me that questioning things helps you to think outside of the box and allows you to consider thoughts and ideas in a new way. My six months abroad had taught me more about myself and the world around me than any other experience in my life. I am so thankful and would not change anything about my experience.

Review Photos

University of East Anglia: Norwich - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of East Anglia: Norwich - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of East Anglia: Norwich - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of East Anglia: Norwich - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of East Anglia: Norwich - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

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.

Friendly and helpful professors who challenged my way of thinking and viewing topics, allowing my thoughts and opinions to grow, helping me to gain as much as I could from the courses provided.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

There is no meal plan on campus, instead you have a kitchen provided in your flat, allowing you to purchase food on or off campus to cook for your meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Very safe

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $80
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I opened an account with the bank on campus. In this account I deposited my weekly food budget. Each week I would withdraw my weekly budget in cash. This would help me to keep to my budget. I had a separate account for travel and other expenses. Keeping the two accounts separate was helpful so that if I went over budget with my other expenses, I would always have money for food.

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

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My community on campus
  • Their form of learning in the classroom
  • Traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Disorganized trips through school clubs
  • More exchange student functions
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I was more selective on the people that I traveled with.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.