Leicester: A Very Nice Uni Past Review

By (History Social Science Ed., Illinois State University) for

University of Leicester: Leicester - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was an experience that I would love to repeat, without the sickness and injury.

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 fact that the English do not use a great deal of the 0 to 100 grade scale (mainly between 40-70) it is a bit frightening for an American used to grades more commonly between 60-100.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were helpful, though the after we arrived on campus it felt a bit like we were isolated and had to figure things out for ourselves.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Liked having a room to myself and being able to interact with a local students (made lots of new friends!)

* Food:

If you are in self-catered it is nice how you can cook decent food. That being said being in catered wasn't bad, at least you didn't have to worry about cooking when you were tired.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Lots of fun. You are close to a lot of things so travel is relatively easy. That being said go when the weather is nice, and if you party go with friends who will watch over you.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Safety wasn't too great of an issue for me. Be safe and walk with somebody at all times if possible. Health is the greater issue. Before you go get on a vitamin regimen, make sure you are healthy and rested, and have a doctor you can call at home if something happens. The health care system in Europe is different, so if you have any problems seek help and insist on help. Also try to avoid injury if you can (you don't want a broken finger when you need to type 4 papers).

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I think this depends on how much you want to buy. If you are a shopper, don't come with a great deal but with lots of money. If you don't really care about buying as much then you won't need quite as much.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Always have access to an emergency fund and only use it for emergencies...you never know when an airline will cancel your flight for a week and you need to stay in various overpriced hotels.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

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

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Make sure that you are healthy when you go over there. Avoid serious injuries. Travel when the weather is good/fair. Make friends with both the study abroad students and local students. Basically do what you want and be safe.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

American Film and Visual Culture

Course Department: ?
Instructor: ?
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was fun learning about American Film history from a British perspective
Credit Transfer Issues: Not that I know of at the moment.