Not culture shock, size shock - quite a difference between this large university and my small college Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The English style of academics is very different from the America's. It's based much more on individual study than seminar collaboration. I found it very strange that I was in class so little. Several of my classes would only meet once a week for an hour for the lecture then another hour for a seminar. Some met less than that. Which was a strange departure from Barnard English classes where you meet in a group for 3 hours a week. There is also a lot more focus on textual analysis in England. At Barnard, analysis was based more in character and plot development, larger picture stuff. This textual focus was in all my class from Shakespeare to Jane Austen to Chaucer. It took a while to adapt to that style. Also, there is much less weekly work than at Barnard. We still had to read a lot but most classes had 1 exam or final paper that counted for your entire semester's grade. Which is really nerve-racking. Sometimes you would have to submit a 1700 word unassessed essay in the middle of the semester. But the professors were amazing. And having fewer lectures, they consolidated their information really well. I never felt like they were wandering. And they are great to come talk to after hours. (Sometimes it's even mandatory.)

On-site administration of your program

They are pretty great responding through email, but I never saw anyone in person from the administration. But I think that's just because it's a really large university.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a suite style (apartment style) similar to Barnard's 600s. Which was actually pretty difficult because Leeds doesn't have RAs to do community building stuff. And there were no common rooms in my building - Montague Burton. So it was really hard to meet new people. Even my flatmates were all international students - several of whom came with other students from their home universities. But I do know that Leeds has some other great housing which would be much better suited for international students. Specifically Boddington Hall and Devonshire Hall, which is corridor style, with a meal plan, and houses mostly English first years. So it's a lot more set up for bonding in those locations. I do wish Leeds has told me that before. <br /><br /> I lived in a single in an apartment style flat with a large kitchen but no common space. I cooked for myself (which worked out just fine). I did have to buy quite a bit of supplies for my room and the kitchen, but there is an Ikea about 15 miles away. My building, Montague Burton, is pretty good looking. It looks like any fairly modern suburban apartment complex, with a large parking/barbeque picnic setup in the middle. But the laundry was on the other side of the complex which was a little annoying. Montague is only a 1/2 mile from campus and is the closest off campus housing available. It is one of the cheapest as well, due to it's bare minimum approach. It's within easy walking distance to the city center, about a mile away.

I hate to say it, but the stereotype about British food is pretty much true.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The daytrips Leeds set up were amazing. And the frequency of them did restrict my involvement in other clubs, but it was totally worth it. I guess, for the social scene you should know that a LOT of socializing is based around drinking and clubbing and pub crawls. Partly because people can drink at 18 in England. So all the freshman love to get drunk every evening.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Leeds is perfectly safe.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I got to practice my Spanish when I traveled in continental Europe.

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• Dorm

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• International Students

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• Local Students