On the Beach --- the best summer I've ever had. Past Review
By Gabriel P (Management Information Systems and Services., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/23/2014 to 08/16/2014 with
University of Sussex: Brighton - International Summer School
I learned more than was taught in my intro bio classes: I learned how to be self sufficient, how to adapt to a brand new culture, how to appreciate a history that wasn't my own, how to travel in countries where I don't speak the language, and how to stand on my own. I made many friends (albeit friends from california) and traveled to places I've wanted to see my whole life: London, the landing beaches at Normandy, and the battle site at Hastings. I even saw places again for the first time in decades: I will never forget travelling to Brussels on a bus overnight, pulling into the Avenue Louise as the sun rose up, and remembering the Avenue from a trip I took with family as a child. It was the best summer I've ever had, and I can't wait to go back some day.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This is a fantastic institution. The teachers really cared, made sure no student was left behind, and made an effort to keep classes small. I hope to come back for a master's degree some day. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program was extremely well run. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Extremely satisfied. Single room, en suite bath, sheets and linens provided, beautiful view of the South Downs right from my window. |
| * Food: |
Good, extremely amazing at pastries, but expensive compared to the US. On the bright side, each apartment has a kitchen, and everyone learned to cook for themselves. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
On campus, most summer students are American, and most teachers or faculty are locals. You can get closer to culture by talking to the faculty, going into town, or going to the on campus pub. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I actually had a health issue while there, and information on how to visit the doctor wasn't well handled. The program informed us of emergency numbers and the on campus clinic, but they failed to have some kind of help available 24/7 as the clinic was closed on weekends, and did not relate the differences in health care policy between US and UK that make it more complicated. |
| * Safety: |
Never felt unsafe while I was there. |
| 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) |
England is expensive but worth it; you shouldn't go there to travel on a tight budget, save up until you can do it right. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook your own food; each flat has a kitchen and supplies like pots and pans. Take the bus to travel instead of planes, or book flights well in advance with ryanair or easyjet. Consider taking the ferry instead of a plane if you're on your way to France. Also, most famous museums are free to enter or reduced price for students. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
It was entirely in english, which is the local language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Know english well. If you want to learn another language before going, french helps for travelling in eastern europe. |
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? | By all means, travel, but don't take a trip every weekend. People will come back with pictures of sites like the eiffel tower, but when you speak to them, you find out they went on tours or didn't really get to know the local culture or appreciate where they were, they just wanted to show off. Travel for no one but yourself. Take pictures, travel the world, but slow down when you get somewhere and take in local culture, art, music, theatre, food, and customs, and you will have a far better time than you can put into words or pictures. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
