"Bristol England Summer Study Abroad Program: Once in a Lifetime Opportunity!" Past Review
By Allison B (Finance and Financial Management Services., Illinois State University) for
University of the West of England: Bristol - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I did not know what to expect when going to study in the UK, but it was the best experience I have ever had. I gained a new appreciation and interest for international business, as well as the culture. I know that this program has positively changed my outlook and perspective on business.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University West of England |
| 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. |
Overall, I felt that the professors that taught at UWE interacted a lot more with the students and encouraged a lot of group work. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought that the program was very well organized. We had a schedule of what we were doing everyday, and we followed it almost exactly. We had coach buses that were also arranged to pick us up and drive us to our destinations. Everything went according to plan, and ended up being very successful. I felt that the majority, if not all, of our professors at UWE were very knowledgable about America. Our program consisted of 20 students, and I thought it was a perfect size for a group. We all got along and had a wonderful time visiting various places in Europe. I believe that this program exceeded my expectations. I saw everything that I wanted to see, plus more, and the experience was truly amazing. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living with a host family in Bristol, England. I believe that the experience would not have been the same if it were not for them. The town we stayed in was called Bishopston and it was a very nice and safe neighborhood. All of the students in the program were placed with host families that lived very close to one another. It was extremely easy to meet up with other students, and we were close to all of the pubs. Our family's houses were also located within 10 minutes of the bus stop(s) where we caught the ULINK bus to go to class. My host family supplied me with everything I needed, such as a room, toiletries, food, etc. They treated me wonderfully and were such amazing people. I had such a great experience with them, and I could not have asked for a better family. |
| * Food: |
They often eat the same types of food as we do in America, such as pasta, chicken, gyros, etc. The way that they prepare it is a little different as well as the flavors. Overall, the food may take some time getting used to, but I would recommend trying it all! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program arranged special field trips for us such as London, Bath, tour of Bristol, Berkeley Castle, etc. I enjoyed all of the trips, but my favorite was London. It was absolutely amazing and so much fun. We went there on our long weekend, and we saw St. Paul's Cathedral, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Tower of London, and more! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
While we were in Europe, there was salmonella going around in certain vegetables. We were told about the situation and everyone took their own safety precautions. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Unfortunately, I did not keep tabs on my spending, but I know it was a lot. In Bristol, I did not spend too much money on food because our host family provided us with breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and dinner. Sometimes I would buy lunch at UWE and it was approximately 5 pounds for what I ordered. The most money that I spent on food and personal expenses was while I was on my long weekends in London and Paris. The money that was spent during those weekends included transportation, hostel fees, attraction costs, food, alcohol, and souvenirs. Also, Belgium was a very expensive week since we had to pay for all of our food, besides breakfast that was given at the hostel. Each meal that I ate in Belgium was approximately 12 pounds. I would suggest buying ingredients to make sandwiches from a grocery store instead of eating out everyday. I would have save a lot of money if I did not buy so much food. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Expect to spend more money that you anticipate. Make sure that you talk to your credit card company or bank to learn about transaction fees, etc. Chase is my bank, and every time I withdrew money from an ATM with my debit card, I was charged $5. It does not seem like a lot, but it definitely adds up. Something that costs 4 pounds seems cheap, but you have to remember that it is almost 8 dollars, so be wise with your money. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would definitely encourage it. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and you learn so much along the way. You meet people that you will always remain friends with, and make so many memories. This program was beyond what I hoped for, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Since this is a business program, business students can only apply. |
