Past Review

By (English Literature (British and Commonwealth)., SUNY - Binghamton) for

SUNY Binghamton: Lancaster - Exchange & Study Abroad Program at Lancaster University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My study abroad experience was amazing, absolutely they best thing I have ever done in my life and something I wish I could repeat. I made so many wonderful friends, took interesting classes, ate great food, and got to travel to other European cities I had always wanted to see.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I thoroughly enjoyed my classes, especially all the free time they gave me since we had class less often which allowed more time to finish assignments.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The orientation was helpful and they held several events for studying abroad students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a standard flat where I had my own room and shared a kitchen with 3 girls and 4 guys. We all got along very well but I was just happy to have my own room. <br /><br /> I loved having my own room and a cleaning woman but the kitchen was very tiny and I thought they should have included digi-boxes after the switch over.

* Food:

English food is very bland and repetitive after a while, but it was hearty and I miss the beans in tomato sauce and meat pies.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The fact that every college residency had its own pub on campus definitely contributed to our social lives, but I would also just sit and talk with people and made friends with them that way.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I was very confused by the health information and services so I just let myself get sicker instead of using my insurance. I did feel safe because everyone was so friendly.

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? I think I spent about 15 pounds on food a week which is around $23 but that was because I was scrimping and I chipped in costs with my flat mates to share dinners.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The conversion rate was just the killer since I would take 200 pounds out of the cash point machine and that would equal $330. It would mess me up in reverse too since I would think something was a good deal at 4 pounds but then I learned it really cost me over $6. Also, things were often more expensive so you just had to anticipate you may not be able to get what you exactly want.

Language

Language acquisition improvement?

I did not speak a foreign language while studying abroad, except when I visited Paris for a weekend.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would advise a student considering studying in Lancaster to research the campus and town as much as you can before you go. It is an adorable town but we could not walk to town and the bus was expensive, however the trains connected us all over the country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Women Writers

Course Department: ENG304
Instructor: Lynne Pearce
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was very interesting since it focused on women writers around the world and did not degenerate into a male-hating class but fostered positive support of women.
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Modernism to Decadence

Course Department: ENG 302
Instructor: Tony Pinkney
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A more challenging course since we studied the beginnings of stream of conscious writings, but we read amazing books I had always wanted to read and it opened my eyes to new genres.
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know yet.
Course Name/Rating:

American Literature to 1900

Course Department: ENG 204
Instructor: Greg Brown
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I really was amused with British students learning the history of my own country, but I found it repetitive of all the American literature courses I took in high school.
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know yet.