England: Keep Calm and Carry On Past Review

By (Social Work., University of Maine at Orono) for

Lancaster University: Lancaster - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was worthwhile, I loved the friends I made I just really did not enjoy the school.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: n/a
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 workload was way too much and all the course work was way over my head. The way they teach is completely different than here, it is much more independent. The only grades you get are the one exam or one paper at the end of the semester.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The people who helped me the most were the freshers reps and JCRs - they were wonderful!!!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I wish that I was on a flat with more local students or other students who were abroad for just a semester or a year. The international students doing their degree at Lancaster mostly kept to themselves.

* Food:

n/a

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved the friends I made and I loved traveling to different countries.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

n/a

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent about 10,000 total I would say. I spent about 1,000 for each country I visited and I went to 7. Then I spent a lot on gifts, food and drinks.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring as much money as you can because you don't want to have to be worried about it all the time - plan accordingly.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Friends
  • Country
* What could be improved?
  • Courses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Do not go to Lancaster if you are looking to breeze through your courses.