Canterbury Christ Church University changed my life. Past Review

By (Special Education, Illinois State University) for

Canterbury Christ Church University: Canterbury - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This an eye opening experience for me, it showed me how other cultures live life and how it is so different from America. I really want to travel more and possibly revisit some of the places I was able to go to. This was an experience of a life time and I do not regret any of it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The educational experience in general worked very well and the schools are more student directed. The teachers give little to no homework and give student material to read but do not check if that they have read. The student in in charge of their learning a majority of the time.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The school was very helpful and always available, the peer adviser was excellent and very easy to talk to he would fix any problems we had.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The building that I lived can be compared to a small dorm building that provide the basic cooking essentials, kitchens, bathrooms, etc. All of the student lived in close proximity and there was a resident tutor who also lived in the building that would provide help when needed. The neighborhood was very save and I always felt comfortable walking around at all hours.

* Food:

The students had to make their own food, we were given our own cabinet and a refrigerator to share with a few other students. The local grocery store was very close and the town typically had markets that provided fresh food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I typically enjoyed all of the field trips that we went on that were provided by the school. My favorite trip was a weekend trip where we travel to a couple different towns that included Bath, Oxford and Stone Henge.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The town of Canterbury was very friendly and considered one of the safest cities in England. Police typically patrolled the city and were very helpful when you needed help. Most of the people in the city were very nice and polite, they seemed to really like Americans.

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

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? Just watch your money and make sure you manage it well I brought about $4000 for the trip and still managed to come home with $500.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

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 live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • People
  • School
  • Places
* What could be improved?
  • Speaker on the tour bus were a little loud
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think all student would benefit from this program, get involved with the school there are a lot of really great people who go there. I joined the basketball team with a couple American friends and consider it one of the best decisions I made on that trip.