University of Leicester has been a fantastic intellectual and cultural experience Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Providence College) for

University of Leicester: Leicester - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I have gained new insight into my career goals and life dreams. I have friends in 4 timezones, who speak more languages than is prudent to count. I plan to continue studying, and I now have a greater sense of direction.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Full-Year

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academics were assessed differently by department, but on a whole by coursework, consisting of a few papers per semester, and an exam, or by a written essay in lieu of an exam. Assessment was thorough, and challenging, but in such a way as to promote student achievement.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The Study Abroad Programme at the University of Leicester is a large and functioning part of the university. International or Study Abroad students account for roughly 1/4 of the student population, undergraduate and postgraduate. They have excellent services available, and are accustomed to dealing with the issues study abroad students may have. However, in my experience, you will probably not even need these resources, as the programme is smoothly run in all aspects.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Shirley House, in the Oadby Student Village. It was a beautiful turn of the century Tudor, with mostly Americans and a comfortable number of British and international students. It was relatively safe, relatively well maintained, clean, and fairly convenient. <br /><br /> The neighborhood consists of mostly student housing, and attracts the issues associated with such neighbors- theft, vandalism, and drunkenness. However, these were all within reasonable levels, and I think the beautiful location more than made up for those inconveniences. Nightlife and entertainment are easily reached by public transportation (bus), as is the University.

* Food:

It's England. A baked (jacket) potato and beans counts as a meal. Given the local cuisine, it was not so bad. I happen to like English food. A plethora of local pubs were available to eat at; self-catered accommodation is also available. Proper English breakfast makes up for it all!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved English culture. It shares a lot with America, but retains its own charm, from tea drinking, to fancy dress parties, to football and rugby.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Whilst I was aware of thefts and a few isolated attempted or actual assault, most were in unsavory situations, such as unattended rooms with windows and doors left unlocked, or walking alone late at night. Using common sense is a sure protection against all health and safety issues.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bus passes may be essential; check to see if they are included in the cost of your tuition. Pubs can be costly. Clothing can be as well, but good budget options are readily available. Textbooks do not usually need to be purchased as they are often available in large quantities via the library.

Language

Language acquisition improvement?

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Enjoy it. It's a fantastic institution in a fantastic country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Chaucer

Course Department: EN 2010
Instructor: Multiple: Da Rold, D'Arcy, Clarck, Jones
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Lectures were intended to elucidate the reading of the Middle English and to instruct about thematic elements and rhetorical devices present in Chaucer's work that makes it so endearing that we now refer to Chaucer as the founder of English verse. Tutorials reinforced lecture material and provided opportunity for discussion and questions. My own personal complaint was that lecture material was too engrossed in a reading of the text to address important secondary material. Furthermore, a challenge in teaching Chaucer is that so much has been written on it, that it is difficult to encourage new, original, or creative thought in undergraduate students, a challenge that the course I do not feel adequately met.
Credit Transfer Issues: This course should have equivalency with the Chaucer course offered by the PC English department. However, I am unsure how this will transfer, as my transcript is currently pending.
Course Name/Rating:

The Study of Language: Old English

Course Department: EN 2030
Instructor: Various: Clarck, D'Arcy, et. al.
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A course surveying English literature written in Old English, including Beowulf, sermons by Wulfric and Alfric, and other anonymous poetry such as the Dream of the Rood. A fantastic opportunity to explore literature and language. The course was a lingual challenge, as Old English resembles modern German as much as it does modern English. Tutorials were offered on grammar to prepare. All the professors were extremely prepared, knowledgeable, and engaging. Travel is left up to the students' own prerogatives.
Credit Transfer Issues: Pending
Course Name/Rating:

Romantics and Victorians

Course Department: EN 2060
Instructor: Various: North, Furneaux, McClean, Dawson, Shattock, Shaw
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A course focusing on English literature from 1789-1870. Includes Blake, Byron, Coleridge, Wordsworth, Tennyson, Elliott, Rossetti, and more. Slightly more in depth than PC's Brit Lit Survey II. Excellent professors. Tutorials highly dependent upon discussion.
Credit Transfer Issues: Transfer is currently pending.
Course Name/Rating:

Critical Theory

Course Department: EN 2060
Instructor: Various: Parsons, Freer, Dawson, Clarck, Shaw
Instruction Language: English
Comments: An excellent course for thinking. A broad overview of critical theories, mostly from that last 2 centuries. Students of philosophy will have a slight advantage in that most British students seem unfamiliar with theoretical readings. Covers theories and applications of Marxism, Feminism, Freud and Psychoanalysis, Structuralism, Post-structuralism, Colonialism, Empiricism, and theorists Lacan, Derrida, Bhabha, etc. Difficult yet rewarding. PC English offers a similar course, however, being away during its offering, I cannot compare.
Credit Transfer Issues: Unknown. Pending.
Course Name/Rating:

Anglo Saxon England: The Kings and Kingdoms of Early England

Course Department: HS 2301
Instructor: Dr. Jo Story
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A fantastic course offered by a leading professor of the period. Focusing on the period between the Roman abandonment of the British Isles and the eventual solution of England into one kingdom. A period of history that our knowledge of is still developing. PC students will have slight advantages in knowledge of Catholic theology and doctrine, and the early semesters of DWC which provide excellent context for the period and interdisciplinary skills for analyzing various sources of information.
Credit Transfer Issues: Pending.