Studying and traveling in the UK Past Review
By Audrey (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 09/26/2016 to 12/14/2016 with
Bangor University: Wales - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Overall, I really gained a lot of confidence in myself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes themselves were not overly difficult but there were some challenges navagating the differences in the lecture set up and expectations between the UK and US. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The International Student Services department at Bangor University was extremely helpful but for the most part, I found the professors and administration of the Environmental Science college to be less willing to aid international students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Bangor University is a great school, the modules I took were interesting, and traveling through Europe was relatively easy and most certainly a blast. |
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) |
Groceries themselves were not overly expensive but I was there not only to study but also to explore and travel so that cost a bit. |
| 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? | Before going abroad, just save as much as possible (more than you think you will need). Once abroad, if you travel, don't always go for the most convenient travel times, it is usually cheaper to travel during off hours and if you get a rail card it can be even cheaper. When you go shopping at local stores, remember to ask if they have student discounts. |
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
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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? | Although there were some cultural differences as well as differences in the educational system, there were a lot more similarities than there were differences so don't get extremely stressed about not knowing EVERYTHING about the UK. Also, be thinking of places you want to go and things you want to do while abroad but be flexible, things can change while you're abroad and there may be places you hear about once there, that you want to visit. Don't underestimate how much time you will be spending on academics though! |
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. |
