Life changing experience in Alnwick England Past Review

By (Marketing., St. Cloud State University) for

St. Cloud State University: Alnwick - St. Cloud in England

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
You gain a lot of problem solving skills, and learn how to handle bad situations that are thrown your way. You get to learn about a differnet culture other than your own and are able to see the differences from where you grew up. I cant even think of everything I learned specifically because it would take me 2 days, studying abroad really opens you up to more than you can imagine.

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.

British history class is hard! Work load is simular to SCSU

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They like to plan things ahead which is great but some of the trips were pointless in some ways and rushed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Just more variety

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The pubs in Alnwick are a lot of fun, also in Scotland which is only a train ride away. Take advantage too of local things in town.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Safety was great!

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? If varied week to week but a typical week in alnwick post likely 30-100 pounds. Again it really varies but we did go out a lot on weekend which costs a lot, and then if we ate out at a nice resturant that costs around 15-20 pounds for a nice dinner. A fast food place costs around 5-10 pounds a meal. Weekends are where you spend the most money.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would budget yourself to bring more money than you expect to use. Many people on my trip ran out of money within the first couple months, its all about bugeting yourself before you go on the trip. I was their for 3 and a half months and I spent around 5,000 dollars of extra spending money. That did include all my spending money, hostles, flights, and everything for the one week and two week breaks, as well as a couple weekend trips.

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

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The community
  • Having so many travel opportunities
  • Getting so close with SCSU students
* What could be improved?
  • Some of the long field trips
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If you want to experience life living in a small laid back family oriented community than Alnwick is the place for you. Not only will you get the chance to be engaged in the local community but you will also be engaged with many students from SCSU. On the Alnwick program you truly do make life long friends from SCSU and get to experience things most students will never get to do. It is a challanging but yet extreamly rewarding experience and I know it is something you will not forget.