I learned by experience, and about things that cannot be taught in a classroom. Past Review
By A student (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 06/18/2016 with
University of Birmingham: Birmingham - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was worthwhile because I feel more responsible, and confident in my ability to be on my own in a very unfamiliar place. I feel as though I have even more common sense skills than I did prior to this experience. I gained many life skills of which cannot be taught in a classroom.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No health issues needed to be addressed |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
England was extremely expensive in general, and Birmingham specifically was a very inconvenient city to maneuver around. I would have liked things to be easier to get to by foot, and more of a traditional English style city. Birmingham was very modern, and did not have much of a "British feel" to it. |
Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200/week on additional expenses, the pound to dollar conversion was very bad while I was there |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not buy clothing while abroad, save money for alternative souvenirs that cannot be found anywhere else |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I know I should've packed much lighter than I did, and I also wish I chose some different courses to take in England, but I was very rushed when the time came to choose courses. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
