Feels weird not to be there. Past Review
By A student (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 01/22/2018 to 05/15/2018 with
University of Sunderland: Sunderland - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I went to college an hour from my home town. This was the first time I really learned how to be by myself, and I loved it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Within England there were so many opportunities for cheap, bus travel. It was amazing. I got to visit Bath, Bristol, London, Durham, York, Manchester, and even more within the United Kingdom itself! Not to mention with the cheap flights from London I got to see many countries within Europe. Classes are far different in England, at least in regards to the University of Sunderland. Each class grade was reliant on two big assignments (and in some cases not too big) and many students skipped classes due to this. Though I heard at the end of the semester that they are updating their attendance policies, all my classes only met once a week anyway, so it was no problem to go. You will have So much free time to explore. So take the metro to Newcastle or a bus to Durham if you want a quick day trip.:) |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
One downside was the study abroad team at the university. We had orientation at the beginning of the semester and really never heard from them again. They did set up two trips but ended up cancelling the one me and my friends signed up for due to lack of numbers. My friends often tried to email with questions and it would take a long while for them to get back. My friend studying abroad in Norway had weekly meetings or events at her university for international students and we had nothing like that. Mainly, you have to rely on your fellow study abroad students and yourself to plan trips. In the end, this ended up being amazing, and a fun learning curve for us. We planned our own adventures. So it wasn't the worst thing in the world, but was definitely my (and my fellow study abroad students) biggest complaint. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
For the program itself it was a bit hard to make friends who were local, though I made an effort in all my classes and went with a local friend to Ireland, you mainly spend time with your housemates (six other people). You are generally housed by country, made up of students who are also studying abroad (though some of the study abroad students were mixed with regular university students). The amount of French students was small so I was housed with two girls from France, and it was so interesting to get to know them and live with them. Five roommates, including me, were from the United States, and we had one solo Canadian. Each person gets their own room. The housing is student housing so not amazing but not the worst. We were in Clanny House and it has a bus stop that connects students to the rest of the city (the 700 and 701 buses are free for students). |
| * Food: |
My French friends thought everything was too sugary and we Americans thought things were too bitter. Indian food to the English is what Mexican food is for us. It's everywhere, so that was a fun surprise! You'll get used to it and find stuff you like. Try yorkshire pudding in York for me, I forgot to.:( |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This is one you'll really have to figure out for yourself. Join a society (societies are clubs and clubs are like intermeral sports).Pay attention to when events are happening. Ask local friends what to do (they'll say pubs but there's other things). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any problems with my health while studying abroad, nor did any of my friends, so I can't really speak on this. But it's a first world country with free healthcare, so I wouldn't worry about it (though I was required to by international insurance I never used it). |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Sunderland. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
The grocery store (Aldi's) is Super cheap, and if you budget trips and possibly alcohol (do budget that if you like to go out a lot). It's pretty affordable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 dollars or less if I didn't go on a trip or out to eat. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Spend money on experiences and not things. You won't even have room to bring them back, but you'll always have room for pictures. (Sidenote: save all your pictures on something besides your phone constantly. I lost all mine) |
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? | 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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| 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? |
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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? | - If you go on skyscanner you can organize flights from cheapest, leaving from a certain airport on a certain date (they can be as cheap as $10). So find the cheapest place and explore (but check hostel prices first). - hostelworld app or website is a lifesaver. If you have a group of four or more check airbnbs. - It moves so fast so try to join a society in the beginning to make local friends. That's truly one of the hardest parts. - Sunderland doesn't feel like a historical city, and it might not be what you expect, but you'll learn to love it. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
