Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My Semester at University of Kent was great Past Review

By (Philosophy., Valparaiso University) for

University of Kent: Canterbury - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was incredibly worthwhile... I would do it again in a moment. It is so important to gain perspective through experiencing another culture.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was great to be able to experience learning in a different system. This allows me to better understand my own system and the positive and negative aspects of both. I feel a lot stronger academically after coming back from studying abroad.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The University of Kent is very internationally oriented, so their study abroad office is very well organized and helpful. Very systematic and accessible!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in Eliot College, and my room was a single with a sink, bed, desk and closet. The building consists of corridors where about 7 or students live in rooms next to one another. The building not only had dorm rooms but offices, classrooms, an assembly hall and a bar. <br /><br /> Eliot is nice because it is centerally located on campus and right across from the library. The rooms are simple and nice (excpet the curtains are hideous), but what made it fun was the students that you live with.

* Food:

The free breakfasts you get when you live in Eliot and Beckett are AMAZING! I was never a breakfast person before, but since it was free I made myself go... and man, it is GREAT! I was excited every morning when I woke up because I got to have breakfast. The other meals at the cafe aren't as good... the other restaurants on campus are good but expensive. Saving money on food was tough becuase you onyl got breakfast for free and you don't have a kitchen to cook your own food... luckily I made a friend with a house who let me use the kitchen so I was able to save money that way.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The people are wonderful. Just doing what they do in their everyday culture with them is the best... my favorite evenings were when a group of us would go to a pub and talk about life, then in the wee hours of the morning get some chips and mayonnaise.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Canterbury is rated I think the safest town in England (or something like that)... I would walk alone at night all the time. The place is entirely safe. London, well, you should probably be with people at night, especially in Camden!

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? ummmmm..... well, not much. I went with enough money for bare essentials (food and local entertainment), but I kinda blew alot of it on tickets to a Paul McCartney concert in London (I had to do it and I don't regret it!). So I really skimped for awhile and spent maybe 20 pounds a week. Luckily I got by with help from friends who allowed me th euse of thier kitchen so I didn't have to eat at the cafe all the time.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Figuring out budgeting and how to best spend money is very difficult, I am usually good with money but having a different currency and no income makes things harder to judge. Take more than you think you need!! And if you fly with Ryanair, make sure your bag is not too large... they wl charge you ALOT.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
Language acquisition improvement?

Well, I have grown up speaking English, but my friends would say that American isn't really English... I did develop a passable cockney, though!

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

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? DO IT! It's great!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Normative Ethics
Course Department: PL594
Instructor: Simon Kirchin
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The professor is excellent in his teaching style and enthusiasm and makes the topics accessible. The seminars were very helpful (if students acutally did the reading)
Credit Transfer Issues: My grades have not transfered yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Social Philosophy
Course Department: PL587
Instructor: Ken Westphal
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The professor was American, which made it interesting to see how the other students reacted to the way the class what arranged. The seminars were the most helpful in understanding the information.
Credit Transfer Issues: My grades have not transfered yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Philosophy Extended Essay
Course Department: PL520
Instructor: Simon Kirchin
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This would be excellent - if it wasn't abroad. I thought I would become completely immersed in my studies, but this was not the case. So doing a larger thesis should be avoided simply becuase it is hard to focus on in an unfamiliar place.
Credit Transfer Issues: My grades have not transfered yet.