Love the United Kingdom! Love Lancaster University! Past Review

By (Physics., DePauw University) for

Lancaster University: Lancaster - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was very helpful as I saw so many diverse ways in which people lead meaningful and healthy lives. Just broadened my horizons immensely.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload is a little less that DePauw but that changes as finals arrive. Finals are typically 60 - 80 % of your grade. Also, scoring above 60 is the best score for British students but the conversion into American grades is probably a little more difficult. Teaching is not as much of a person experience as it is at DePauw due to the larger number of students in class. But they have seminars and workshops which are smaller in size and definitely more helpful!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Things are typically slower and not as well organized as I would have expected them to be. But things get done eventually. There are definitely support services but they are not accessed as much and this could be because they are not very visible. But they are always available and ready to help if you need it!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I got on-campus housing and it was a pretty easy process. All my flatmates were very friendly and welcoming. Need to buy bedding and a few utensils as well. But it is not very expensive and pretty easy to find stuff. The campus is very safe and friendly and it is very easy to get to classes. Also, getting to town is extremely easy with very frequent buses.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was not much organized by the program but there is a very diverse group of students at Lancaster. So there were many culturally diverse experiences that I could have with all the students in terms of food, general life, religion, etc.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The city is extremely safe. Did not have any safety issues in the UK in general. I actually did not have any experience with healthcare so it would be hard for me to say anything about that. But I did not need any extra vaccinations before going to the UK. There was a health center on campus for students as well!

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About 60 pounds or more. It really depends on your life style.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Not that I can think of any.

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

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students