The Experience is What You Make It Past Review
By Zia P (English, Illinois State University) for
University of Leicester: Leicester - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes, but if I were to do it again, I would choose a place the compatible with my learning style, which I do not believe the University of Leicester was. I think learning about a similar, but difference culture was nice. I did change my future plans, academically speaking, but that was a long time coming. Leicester was just the catalyst.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I had difficulty knowing what was expected of me because it seemed as if they (professors)assumed everyone would know. Since they think you know, what they expect is implicit rather than explicit. I had to learn another form of citation, which was understandable, but still challenging. The test are mainly essay based, which isn't a problem, but as an undergraduate I'm not used to having so many papers assigned at once. Even though there are seminars, I would have liked to have the option of raising my hand during lecture if I have a question. It seemed to be an unspoken rule not to raise your hand in lecture, or it seemed that way to me. University of Leicester is not a bad university, but the reason it is rated so low is because, as a student, I had to learn England's way of learning in addition to the material. It got to be very overwhelming and stressful. Most of the professors/tutors were understanding, which was nice. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My expectations were met to an extent. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
There wasn't much variety |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
N/A |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The tub upstairs drained water slowly for a while and was potentially dangerous because people could have slipped with the took a shower. Also, there was a crack in the ceiling that eventually became a huge crack and was left open for a week. This was under the tub upstairs and fell while a girl was in the sink room. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | £15 or less and almost zero at the end. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | N/A |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I believe if the student is flexible academically and very hardworking, he or she should be able to excel at this university. Become involved in on-campus activities and talk to the bus-drivers, they like it. |
