Cheers to one knowledgable and life changing experience I'll never forget. Past Review

By (humanities media studies, Brookdale Community College) - abroad from 09/18/2014 to 12/20/2014 with

College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS): Ormskirk - Edge Hill University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a greater appreciation for knowledge and being independent. The academics in the United Kingdom are definitely more challenging, and a lot of success lies in how much work you do on your own. At my school, I find they always gives us an outline of some sort to explain what will be required of you for a paper or a test. In the UK, you do not receive such a study guide, and learn from the readings and notes you create. It was extremely worthwhile because I have a such a respect for students in the United Kingdom who have adapted to this form of learning for their entire lives. The teachers are not on top of you to get your work done. Having to rely on myself and keep organized was enjoyable because I applied my independency to my work, and knew the outcome would be completely from my efforts. It challenged me, and knowing I was successful gives me an even greater feeling for striving through my academics. It was also my first residential experience because I commute to college. I could not have chosen a better place to have first lived on my own.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I had the best international academic advisor who made me feel super comfortable to go to him with any academic assistance. My lecturers were very responsive when I emailed them, especially when having questions about writing essays being that I was an international student and the way they cited sources was different.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The accommodation given was nice but we were not given a headsup to the where we would be living. I only knew because I asked my advisor.I enjoyed having my own room, but the quality was old and run down. However, back halls is located close to a lot of things on campus and you make great relationships with the people who live in your building.

* Food:

At my school, there were select places you could eat on campus. However, the main building, the hub, was most accessible and didn't always have the best choices. Breakfast was the same everyday and lunch varied slightly.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There is a place called the Milton House 5 minutes walking distance from campus. The nurse is very helpful and will give you a prescription if needed that you can bring to multiple pharmacies in downtown Ormskirk. Downtown is just 10 minutes walking distance from Edge Hill or you can take the Edge link bus for free with your student ID

* Safety:

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)

I definitely went over my budget. Each weeks expenses included food I'd get outside the school, shopping for clothes in Ormskirk or Liverpool, train/taxi expenses, etc. Travel was also a big expense but worth every penny.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Each week varied. However, having the meal plan with your student ID cut food expenses significantly.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? My advice is you plan on traveling while you are abroad, definitely put into perspective which places you absolutely want to go too. I did not expect to spend so much on traveling, but I had many opportunities to join my friends on trips to places they wanted to go to. I was able to experience 8 countries and have amazing cultural and historic experiences. However, the expenses from hostels, airfare, and food will catch up to you; putting things into priority is key for saving money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • The people I was surrounded with extremely friendly and made living on my campus and going to social events that much greater.
  • The campus was beautiful and easy to navigate. I particularly enjoyed the library beccause it was bigger than my college's library and had an awesome setting for me to study and revise my work in.
  • Traveling. I would budget more carefully if I had to do it again, but the places I experience and the history I've learned about was incredible.
* What could be improved?
  • Accomodation. I enjoyed having my own room and being surrounded by friendly people. However, the quality was a little old and rundown.
  • The food. having the meal plan with your student ID is convenienet, especially for someone liek me who is always hungry. However, it rarely varied day to day and options were limtied. I would have loved to have healthier options as well.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would've known just how much amazing the experience would be because I constantly miss my school and the friends I've made being home; that way, I would be better prepared for the "normality" I'd have coming back home. It's nice to be back in my familiar setting and be around family and friends. However, I think of my experience everyday and how much I long to be back in the UK.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Scriptwriting

Course Department: Film Studies
Instructor: Roger Shannon
Instruction Language: English
Comments: As someone who is more interested in television than film, I thought it was a very fun and informative class to take. You truly learn what goes into writing a script for a movie and how to format it. I thought the most difficult part was creating an effective and compelling idea for my screen play. However, the professor was very helpful in explaining what key components were needed to make a story thrive and gave great advice on aspects to add to your idea to improve your story. The assignments were fun once I got a good idea in my mind. I enrolled in this class last minute due to a class that was unavailable for my schedule. I'm glad I did.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues. The international advisor was very helpful in contacting my home institution right away when I needed to change a class and everything was sorted quickly and easily.