Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

University of Bristol June 02, 2022

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/19/2022 to 06/12/2022 with

University of Bristol: Bristol - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Overall my time at UoB was a worthwhile experience. The city is beautiful, possessing both culinary and cultural diversity (although the city and school are still both predominately white). Overall, the students and city residents were very kind and welcoming. It was also very nice to step away from Wellesley for a semester. In many ways, the academic schedule, curricula, and expectations were a breath of fresh air. Ultimately, I left Bristol with life-long memories and beautiful friendships that I'll cherish for a very long time.

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.

High level classes and instruction intentionally designed to encourage and reward critical thought.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The room was fine but the kitchen I was required to share with flatmates was disgusting. I asked multiple times to be relocated but to no avail.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I'm really not sure. Although joining the club volleyball team helped connect me with students and get acclimated, the university really didn't do much to make me feel welcome or help me settle in. Mind you, there was the "Global Lounge", a popular spot for international students, that organized scavenger hunts as a social opportunity for visiting students. However, just finding someone who point me in the direction of the "Global Lounge" was unnecessarily difficult. Oftentimes this very hands off approach to direct enrollment was very isolating.

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)

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? 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
  • International Students
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?
  • the location of the university
  • the academic environment: academic rigor, class sizes etc.
* What could be improved?
  • Accommodation
  • UoB could better integrate its visiting students- connect them with their future flatmates and professors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That attempting to live in a "self-catered" accommodation (where you cook for yourself everyday) in a completely unfamiliar country is really ambitious. It it may be best to stick with a housing option that provides/includes a dining hall. Also, if any issues arise concerning your living situation, speak up! SPEAK UP IMMEDIATELY! Every institution has its own bureaucracy, and your questions may go through 10 different people before they get answered, so when you have a question, ask!