Missing my home institution January 20, 2023

By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/04/2022 to 12/10/2022 with

University of Cambridge, Pembroke College: Cambridge - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned that I prefer interaction between humans more than learning knowledge by myself. Also, I've realized the importance of self-learning on a topic that really interests me.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	There's a construction site right next to my window so I can't really study in my room during the day. Also, my room is an attic so there isn't too much light in my room. However, the location of my house is excellent since it is a two-min walk from the library. Also, I got to use free laundry which was nice.
* Food:	Overall the food was good but lack in variety sometimes.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I participated in the women's novice rowing team and the blind wine-tasting society. I felt quite connected to those groups except I did not get plenty of free time due to the heavy amount of readings.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I know that one of the female graduate Asian students was sexually assaulted on the street.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No I think I prefer interaction with classmates and professors in a liberal arts college. Since I was not able to join the lectures for the art history course that I registered for, I feel that I have missed a lot.

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?	£ 150--200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Eat more dining hall food.

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

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Hostel
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans 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 philosophy supervisor Anna The cafeteria called Barbarella The varieties of societies including PCBC (Pembroke College Boat Club) and Blind Wine Tasting Club.
* What could be improved?	Accessibility to the lectures and buildings accommodation (too much noises coming from several construction sites) The attitude from Pembroke College's International Office
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I could know that I will be studying the materials mostly by myself and I cannot enter the lecture of my art history course (the Paris one) and the only lecture recordings that I've got were the audio ones.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Paris: the birth of modern nation
Course Department:	History of Art
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course was challenging in the way that instructions on visual analysis and class materials were not provided at the beginning of the course. Going to this course's in-person lecture is not allowed. The supervisor is not as knowledgeable as the professor who is teaching this course, yet we only have audio recording access to her classes. During the course, we (three of the semester program students) had the opportunity to meet the professor twice, each around an hour to discuss my questions. It was one of the most helpful part of this course. The reading materials are rather long and complicated and most of the information are not directly related to the prompt.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I will transfer my credit after completing this form.

Course Name/Rating:	European Philosophy from Kant
Course Department:	Philosophy
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Anna was super helpful both content wise and emotionally. She gives me all the related and required instruction and she discusses specific philosophy terms meaning in German. I would highly recommend her supervision.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I will transfer my credit after completing this form.