University of Leicester was the best four months of my life. Past Review

By (Food, nutrition, dietetics, Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/23/2013 to 05/18/2013 with

University of Leicester: Leicester - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be even more independent. I learned how to navigate myself around foreign countries. I learned that there is so much more the world. It was an all around amazing experience.

Review Photos

University of Leicester: Leicester - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo

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.

The coursework at the University of Leicester was tough. The grading system does not work out in our favor. Classes that I would typically As in at ISU, I got Bs in at the University of Leicester because of the harsh grading system.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were nice, but not very helpful. They were very unclear on things and unorganized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved where I lived. I stayed in a victorian style house with a dining hall attached to my house. I had a wonderful roommate from Mississippi. We became very good friends.

* Food:

Lets just say I lost some weight. The food was alright. I ate what I was given mainly because I was usually starving by dinner because the dining hall does not serve lunch.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

We stayed in a residential area so I felt very safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

I hardly spent money on groceries or food. I was too cheap. I spent a lot of money on traveling though.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $40/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure to budget money for traveling and for public transportation. It really adds up.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The location
  • Housing
  • 5 week Easter Break
* What could be improved?
  • Dining hall food
  • Bus pass expiration date
  • grading scale
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that the courses would be a lot more difficult then expected.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.