Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I can't wait to go back to Bath! January 23, 2022

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/30/2021 to 12/17/2021 with

Advanced Studies England: Bath - ASE Study Centre

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about art and living in the moment it was truly the most beautiful experience of my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program gave its students so many vital resources to be successful in the classroom. The classes were extremely rigorous but professors offered support and a large range of knowledge. At times it was difficult to access the library due to its hours but for the most part it was convenient and accessible.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Program Administration was organized and always available to help.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Accommodations were comfortable and in the center of the city. The views were beautiful and overall made it easy to call it home.

* Food:

We were in charge of making an buying meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My internship made it very easy to integrate and understand the theatre culture and local community.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Bath is an extremely safe city. I often times walked alone at night and never felt in danger.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Even though I didn't make as many local friends as I wanted to initially, the relationships I built with the students in my program are ones that will last me forever. I also fell in love with Theatre in Bath and I learned that the arts are important to me so I will always be integrating them into my life.

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)

It's possible to be on a budget but it is difficult considering the markets around the city.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? M&S has some pretty cheap and great sandwiches so instead of going to a restaurant for lunch maybe consider getting a quick lunch.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Administration
  • the internship placements
  • the creative classes
* What could be improved?
  • local exposure
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I learned that while Bath is considered an city with a older demographic, the young people and artists are what are keeping the city so exciting and worthwhile.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Creating a Drama
Course Department: English
Instructor: Jim Brown
Instruction Language: English
Comments: While it was a challenging course creatively, Jim Brown's instruction and encouragement gifted us with creative confidence and energy to write our plays. I came into the class with no playwriting experience and left with a strong foundation. Jim Brown built such an amazing community filled with support and a mutual regard for one another.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Exploring Shakespeare
Course Department: English
Instructor: Hugh Gazzard
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I came into this course really concerned on whether I would be successful in it due to my lack of experience with Shakespeare's text but Hugh Gazzard made all of the five texts we read accessible and interesting. Our opinions and insights were always regarded and considered and it strengthened my confidence in exploring challenging texts.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A