Awesome! Wouldn't trade my experience for anything! Past Review

By Camille K (English and American Lit/ Music, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/18/2012 to 05/20/2013 with

University of Nottingham: Nottingham - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It was so worthwhile! I made friends that feel like family to me. It was nice living in dorms because I was really integrated into the culture, living with majority British students

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	My overall educational experience was largely positive. I liked the greater emphasis on independent study. The workload - amount of class reading, as well as secondary reading - kept me consistently busy. Resources can be slim in regards to secondary reading for literature, although Nottingham's subscriptions to several journal databases alleviates some of the stress of not being able to find books in the library.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	They were quick to respond to email and were able to see me when I had questions. However, some things seemed a little loosely organized... especially with registering for classes.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Housing was great! The halls were clean. Rooms were big, and I wasn't lacking for anything.
* Food:	Typical cafeteria food
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I rarely would hang out with other international students. Living in halls with other first years really ensures you are integrated into the English culture. Proximity to Nottingham city makes it easy to hop on a bus and go explore city centre as well.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Health services were great! I was always able to get an appointment when I needed one. As a full-year student, I also had the benefit of full-coverage and access to all the benefits of their health services. There were no prevalent health issues in my host county that vaccines weren't readily available for.
* Safety:	The campus is especially safe, with guards always patrolling. In the city, though, it is to one's benefit to stay aware.
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)	Because of the exchange rate - the dollar being so weak compared to the pound, I really had to watch my money. England, London in particular, is one of the most expensive places in Europe
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	Easily 50 - 60 pounds, so 75 - 100+ dollars. Even though the halls were catered, basic expenses - toiletries, bus money, etc. can really eat up your budget
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Try to save on food outside of catered halls. Don't spend too much on coffee, other snacks. It all really adds up in the end.

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
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	large university size proximity to the city ease of travel
* What could be improved?	registration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I knew how much I would be stretched for money. Unfortunately, that did put a lot of stress on my experience.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Communication and Culture
Course Department:	Media studies/ under Cultures Languages and Area studies
Instructor:	Dr Eva Giraud
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This was a great course. Seminars were small - maybe 15 students. The professor really pushed us to utilize recommended readings and participate in class. The subject matter is really engaging and interesting. I participated in class as much as I would at Middlebury. We were assessed by two papers.
Credit Transfer Issues:	This credit should transfer.

Course Name/Rating:	The Long 19th Century: Themes and Transitions
Course Department:	English
Instructor:	Josephine Guy
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course was challenging. There were several required texts. I participated in class less than at home. Class size for lecture was very large. Seminars were smaller. I was assessed by a midterm paper and a final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I have not gone through the credit transfer process yet, but I anticipate this course will transfer and fulfill an ENAM requirement.

Course Name/Rating:	James Joyce: Revolutions of the Word
Course Department:	English
Instructor:	Dr. Sarah Davison
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course was challenging. Since the only texts for the course were James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist As A Young Man and Ulysses, I was really able to spend time with each text. My professor was very knowledgeable. She was an expert in her field and passionate about Joyce. I participated in this class as much as I would a class at Middlebury. I was assessed by a midterm paper and a final paper.
Credit Transfer Issues:	There should be no issue with transferring credit for this class. It will fill my ENAM junior seminar requirement.

Course Name/Rating:	Self, Mind and Body
Course Department:	Philosophy
Instructor:	Dr Andrew Fisher
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was challenging when it came to the assessments. The midterm paper and final exam really pushed me to write in a style that I'm not accustomed to as an English major. It was a good exercise in expanding my writing skills. I participated a little less than I would have at Middlebury. I wasn't happy with how the seminars were conducted. The TA struggled to get students to participate. Dr. Fisher was a great lecturer though. He was engaging and put together really helpful powerpoints.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I don't foresee having any credit transfer issues. This is not my major but should count as an elective.

Course Name/Rating:	Introduction to Early Music
Course Department:	Music
Instructor:	Dr Esperanza Rodriguez Garcia
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was challenging. I was assessed by a listening exam and final paper. The class really required me to have and illustrate an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. The teacher was always well prepared and very knowledgeable. She was always available to talk if I had questions. I participated a little less than I would at home, maybe due to the large size of the lecture and seminar.
Credit Transfer Issues:	This should satisfy the Music History I requirement for the music part of my joint major. My advisor said there shouldn't be any issues.

Course Name/Rating:	Crime, Conscience and Correction 1603-1700
Course Department:	English
Instructor:	Dr Jemima Matthews
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was challenging, but I was frustrated by the wandering nature of discussions in seminar. I felt like I lacked background knowledge or guidance that would really help me get more out of the readings. The professor was knowledgeable but only available for meetings concerning papers in 5 minute blocks of time. I participated a good amount in class discussions, but probably less than at Middlebury. I was assessed by a mid-term and final paper.
Credit Transfer Issues:	This should satisfy a pre-1700 requirement for the ENAM part of my major. I don't anticipate any transfer issues.

Course Name/Rating:	American Utopianism - from the Settlement Narrative through Science Fiction
Course Department:	Cultures, Languages and Area Studies
Instructor:	Dr Matthew Pethers
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was challenging because of the number of required texts. We went through several books in their entirety. The teacher was knowledgeable but sometimes discussion was lacking. I participated as much as I would at Middlebury. I was assessed by a mid-term paper and a final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:	This should transfer as an ENAM elective. I don't anticipate any issues.