Backpacking and Worcester: Walk on the Wild Side :) Past Review
By Kimberly B (Communiactions Media, Indiana University of Pennsylvania) for
University of Worcester: Worcester - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was more than worth my while. It's something that I'll never forget, it's opened my mind, inspired my dreams, and allowed me to gain confidence in myself and know myself better as a person. When you're stripped away of your comfort zones, your real personality shines, and you gain a lot of insight if you have the right mind. I've decided to intern across the country to try something new because I realize change is such an important aspect of life. It makes it more fun! I plan to travel to Australia after that and get my masters in Sociology to study other cultures. It's more than a 5 star for sure!
Review Photos
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. |
The educational system was okay, I believe when you're abroad it's more about the out of classroom learning. I learned so much about other cultures through travel, meeting new people, exploring local towns, and observing the cultures around me. .. Taking advantage of the unique and inexpensive transportation is a must! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living with international students, it's amazing to learn all about their lives and there's never a dull day. Plus everyone is super eager to meet people so you feel welcomed right away. |
| * Food: |
I'm a vegan so I didn't really get to eat anything on campus, however; there are Cooperatives, Sainsbury's, Tesco's and other grocery stores... including a local vegan (Rosemary's) style store and it's even better because you can cook fresh meals in the dorms and save. These are mostly within walking distance so food is not a problem. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Backpacking for a month before school was out of this world. Using transportation like euro-rail, ryanair, and ferry's made the experience even better. Worcester offered trips to Birmingham, London, and the Malvern Hills so take advantage of all those. |
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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
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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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Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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? | Open your mind, step outside yourself and allow yourself to learn, grow, challenge your ideas and what you think is "normal". I believe anyone who is open to expand their knowledge and shine some "energetic American-light" on the rest of the world should study abroad. If you like meeting new people, if you like admiring history that has insurmountable meaning than you need to study abroad. It's some of the best times you'll ever have. |
