Best time of my life! Study at Lancaster University Past Review

By (Criminal Justice and Corrections., Richard Stockton College of New Jersey) - abroad from 01/07/2012 to 06/30/2012 with

Lancaster University: Lancaster - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Study abroad really taught me what I am capable of. I am much more resourceful and open-minded than I was before. Study abroad challenges you to step out of your comfort zone and establish a life on your own. I loved every moment of it. I wish I could be back there.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found the classes very interesting. A lot of the academic experience relies on independent learning. Also, I felt as though the coursework was all crammed in during the last few weeks of the semester.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing is pretty expensive, but it's really nice quality.

* Food:

I'm a vegetarian, and I found that I had much more options in England than I do in the US. English food can be bland, but they do have some great restaurants and sweets.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt completely safe in Lancaster. There was no point where I feared for my 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)

The exchange rate is not favorable. However, if you are really careful, you can survive on a budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I used to do pricing for groceries online. Check out the weekly savings. Also, there is a free bus to Sainsbury's every Wednesday. If you need to go into town for groceries, I would recommend waiting for the free bus.

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

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Location
  • Travel
* What could be improved?
  • Program price
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I was accepted into the program, but the program price was not released yet. I was told that it shouldn't be more than $2,000 more than last year's program. When the prices were released, the program was almost $4000 more. I almost didn't study abroad because of this.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'