Do it, you've got nothing to loose! July 20, 2023
By A student (Botany, Plant Biology, Victoria University of Wellington) - abroad from 01/22/2023 to 06/02/2023 with
University of Liverpool: Liverpool - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Deciding to go on a study abroad experience to the University of Liverpool was one of the best decisions I have ever made. First of all, the city was amazing, full of character, music and art, there 's always something to do. Liverpool isn't a massive city either, so you don't feel overwhelmed but there is always something to do (as well as great connections to the rest of the UK through trains. The University itself is great, the campus was social, with a great pub, square for when the sun came out and library, I loved it. Personally, I think that studying abroad helped me grow a lot. It helped me gain confidence in myself because when you move you must be able to trust and believe in yourself which is a great trait to have. The bonus of making heaps of great friends and connections also make the experience unforgettable.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Before going on my study abroad the unknown factor of what the teaching at the University would be like, things like the work load, teaching style and level was my main concern. However, after my first week on campus and going between lectures these worries were completely resolved. I noticed plenty of similarities between the University of Liverpool and I home university which helped immensely in feeling more comfortable and at home straight away. I enjoyed all my classes and loved the opportunity to take come elective courses that were purely for my interest, especially the ones that couldn't be done at my home University. I found all of the lectures helpful as well as extremely knowledgeable in their fields. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The study abroad team at both Liverpool and my home university were good at responding to any of the queries that I had in terms of the exchange. The liverpool team was especially good at organising events and day trips for the exchange students to enjoy, which were a great resource to be able to see some of the UK as well as continue to create connections with the fellow study abroad students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The living arrangements the I experienced at the University of Liverpool was definitely one of my favourite parts. I lived on campus in a 5 bed house in Tudor Close with other study abroad students. I got extremely lucky with my flatmates and we all got along wonderfully, and consider them some of the closest friends I made on study abroad. This really helped my settle in straight away and feel comfortable. In addition, I lived a 5 minute walk from campus, the library and Abercreomby square which was the best place to go when the sun was out (as well as three pubs which is always a bonus). The accomodation of Tudor Close also developed a sense of community, where you were always surrounded by friendly, like minded people from all around the world. I would 100% recommend living in the on campus accomodation that the University of Liverpool offer to the study abroad students especially. I think that it provides the perfect environment to make friends and to be in the thick of it to gain the full experience. |
| * Food: |
This was my first experience living in a flat and having to organise all of my meals. I was pleasantly surprised at the low prices of food in the UK compared to NZ and I enjoyed the experience of added responsibilities and a sense of independency. In terms of eating out, Liverpool was a wonderful city for that with Bold street and the Baltic triangle being hot spots for great eating, drinking and events |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I grew to absolutely love the english culture during my time abroad. I personally found everyone really friendly and keen for a chat and a good time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The student GP at Liverpool was satisfactory because it was always quite busy, however this in completely understandable because of the pressure on the NHS at the moment. |
| * Safety: |
As a young women I can't remember ever feeling particularly unsafe in Liverpool. That said it is a city, but as long as you are smart and keep your wits about you it is perfectly safe. The locals are lovely and there is always someone around so you never feel alone |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would definitely do it again if it could. I was just a super fun and unique experience where you life just changes completely for the better and it is impossible to ever recreated that lifestyle and experience again. |
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) |
I found it easy, especially with groceries, which turned out to be a lot cheaper than expected. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try and save as much money as you can on your groceries because they are the easiest things to save one, cook easy cheap meals at home and reduce the amount of times you go out for dinner. |
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 did not realise how much traveling I would be doing within my exchange, not that I am complaining but I think it would have been helpful to save up a bit more money. |
