Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., SUNY - Binghamton) for

SUNY Binghamton: Nottingham - Exchange & Study Abroad Program at University of Nottingham

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I had the best time in my life! I learned how to make friends anywhere and everywhere and now know I can adapt to any environment.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I took 3 smalll, fun classes and two large business classes. I found this course load to be sufficient. Nottingham University wanted us to take 6 classes originally but we were allowed to take 5 with approval from Binghamton University. Six would have been way too much. I also had difficulty making a schedule which would allow for travel time so I took a class I normally wouldn't have in order to get Fridays off.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I really enjoyed this program because I met not only British students, but students from around the world. I was dorming in an apartment affiliated with the school and was originally worried about making friends. However, I lived with a girl on an exchange program from Germany and one from China. I also lived with a girl from London and a girl from Binghamton (we had requested to live together). I became really good friends with these girls. I also joined the Lacrosse team (the girls were nice but I felt a little weird because I was a senior and horrible at lacrosse). I also met lots of British students. However, I wish the program had incorporated some better trips or something to meet students at Nottingham, not just other international students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Raleigh Park, Madison Court. The apartments were very clean and we each had our own room. The location was close to the business school, where I had 2 of my classes, and the town, where I had another 2 classes, so it was convenient. However, the area wasn't too great and sometimes I felt unsafe walking at night. <br /><br /> It was clean and a nice sized room. The girls were so nice.

* Food:

I made soup a lot since I don't cook.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

the social environment was really fun but it was hard to meet people in the beginning.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I always felt really safe in the city of Nottingham. The area got bad though closer to my housing but I still generally felt comfortable.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Stock up on makeup or anything that can get expensive because everything is practically double there with the exchange rate. Also bring all the medications you like because they don't have Advil, Tylenol, or Robitussin.

Language

Language acquisition improvement?

Since I was in England, communication was obviously not a problem but when I was traveling I did improve my ability to communicate with others by looking up words and gesturing.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* 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? have an open mind and take advantage of every opportunity to travel.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Book Art 1

Course Department: Fine Art XX1380
Instructor: Jo Burnell
Instruction Language: English
Comments: We basically folded paper into different styles. The professor was really nice but the course lacked substance. The grading was pretty harsh for what we were doing in class. It was a small class, about ten students, so it was really fun and engaging though.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Digital Photography 1

Course Department: Fine Art XX1404
Instructor: Dr G Perkins
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The professor was really nice and obviously knowledgeable but he was out doing seminars and things in other schools for a lot of the sessions. Photography was fun but I did not really learn what he promised to teach us about the SLR camera and we hardly did anything but show each other our work during class. The class time was a waste...especially when he was not there. He also didn't even show us an example of the portfolio so the class had no idea what kind of work to produce or what level he expected.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Entrepreneurship and Business

Course Department: Business N1B440
Instructor: Professor M Binks
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was a huge class with around 600-800 students so it was obviously a lecture style. The teacher handed out the power point notes then basically just lectured them. I really did enjoy our presentations we had to put together in smaller groups on our innovation. This smaller project allowed us to be creative and think on our feet.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Life Drawing 1

Course Department: Fine Art XX1003
Instructor: Dr G Perkins
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I love drawing so I decided to take the course even though I have not drawn since the 10th grade. I was daunted when I walked into the class because a large majority of the students had taken drawing for their A-levels so they were amazing. I really tried and feel like a progressed in the course but am/was really worried about my grade since my work is clearly not of the same caliber and those students who have been drawing for years. The professor also didn't explain too much about our portfolios so I was confused as to what he wanted.
Credit Transfer Issues:
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Strategic Management I

Course Department: Business N1B410
Instructor: Dr K Amess
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was pretty boring. This was my first time taking a business class though so I didn't know what to expect. The professor just reiterated his notes during the lecture. We had our 2 hour final a month after the class ended. I really didn't like this layout because that month "off" was when I was doing all of my traveling. It was really stressful to be worried about this final a month after the course was done on December 12th. The work wasn't hard but I think I did poorly on the final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: