UK: A Fun Time but Not a Very Impressive Education Past Review
By Seth C (Political Science, Western Carolina University) for
University of South Wales: Cardiff - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Best experience of my undergraduate career. I did not learn that much in the actual classroom, but overall I learned more about life and the world than I did throughout the rest of college combined.
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. |
Workload was much lower than my university in the USA. Grading system operated of pass, pass with distinction, and pass with honors system. A 70 was considered an excellent grade and a passing grade went down to around 40. Things like class readings were merely suggestions rather than requirements, however you were expected to draw on what you read for the final exam. Professors seemed largely disinterested in their classes and the quality of instruction seemed to vary a little more than in the USA. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There was a useful international student support office that could be utilized. There was a reasonable sized queue that you usually had to wait through to get help, but by and large the staff was helpful and knowledgeable. Not bad, but nothing particularly impressive either. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Dorm rooms were private with a private shower and bath. I lived on a hall and shared a kitchen with 5 other students. Overall, accommodations were great. |
| * Food: |
On-campus dining facilities were virtually nonexistent. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were trips arranged for international students to surrounding parks and museums. Again, though, most traveling and social activities stem from the people in your dorm unit. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Never had any need for medical/law enforcement use. Mechanisms were in place if you needed help though. |
| 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 spent around 30-40 UK pounds per week on food. So I was looking at maybe $60 or $70 a week for food. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be aware of the exchange rate. You currently lose about 1/3 of your spending power going from US dollars to UK pounds. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Glamorgan university has great criminal justice classes; it is sorely lacking in political science though, so even if your adviser tells you that it's a good political science school...it's not. Their class listings are much different than what is actually offered. |
