Past Review
By Jacquielynn W (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Valparaiso University) for
Valparaiso University: Cambridge - Valparaiso University Study Center
I would not take back so much as a millisecond of this experience! I have grown and what's more this is not one of those invisible growth spurts but one in which I have watched in awe as my debating skills have expanded, my intellectual curiosity has been stretched and my already high respect and esteem for my fellow students has blossomed 10-fold. I feel this experience has made me realize the importance of friendships and the significance of independence. I will always cherish the memories and experiences of this past term. Thank you for this!
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The overall educational experience was exceptional. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our director was phenomenal in every way! The condition of our study center seemed nearly unlivable before our director came in and spent weeks cleaning, repairing and generally making the centre a much cleaner and more desirable place to live. The centre is now a place I still feel proud to call my Cambridge home! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived in a big yellow brick house. The house is divided into two sections one side was over 100 yrs old and the other was a bit more modern. Please see previous comment. <br /><br /> The house or Study Center was located within 10-15 minutes walk of the city Centre in Cambridge. |
| * Food: |
We all cooked much of the food we consumed during the term. Remember to stop by Benets or Café Uno for hot chocolate! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Cambridgeshire is beautiful and only 50 minutes away from London by train. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
England is a socialist country where everyone has access to medical care; they also pay for it through much higher taxes than we are used to in the US. I felt very safe living in Cambridge. |
| 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? | At least 100 pounds a week, with the exchange rate and any extra fees this is nearly $200.00 a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It is expensive to live in the UK when coming from the US mainly because of the exchange rate. We have an internal two week Fall break in the program. Yes, you can stay home in Cambridge while everyone else is traveling the globe. The program seems set up to allow the student to travel during that time which is great! Just at least (and this is frugal) double whatever amount suggested you'll need during orientation. It costs money to travel, eat, sleep and enter the museums and other attractions you'll want to visit, not to mention the cost of tours. Try to contact someone at another VU study center and exchange visits if you are able. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I studied in Cambridge, England and am a native English speaker. When traveling abroad however I was able to utilize some language skills that had since gathered a bit of metaphysical dust. As always the more you utilize and practice a foreign language the better you internalize it; particularly in a country where that language is native to the region. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Cambridge is a beautiful place to live and study. You are 50 minutes away from London and not much further from Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. If you are looking for a place where buildings from the 5th century, the 11th, 15th, 20th and 21st century all stand on the same block England is waiting for you. The sun always shines in Cambridge, even if it is just beyond the clouds. |
