University of Sussex - ISS: A Great Experience. Past Review

By (Biological Sciences - Microbiology and Immunology, University of California - Merced) for

University of Sussex: Brighton - International Summer School

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My study abroad experience was a great experience. I'm very glad I decided to do this program and would love to study abroad again in a different country to further expand my horizons.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was manageable. We had homework to complete but not too much where it did not give us time to travel and experience the different culture outside of the classroom. The teaching method was very good. The small class size made it easy to have better class discussions and time to meet with the professor.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived in the dorms at our host university which made going to class very convenient. Our university was also very close to town where we could take the bus easily. The host university provided us with our own bedding and kitchens with cookware. Overall, the arranged housing conditions were very nice.

* Food:

Students usually cook their own food in the housing kitchens because the host university provided necessary cookware. We just had to buy our own groceries and ingredients from the supermarkets. The host university also had a variety of cafes and students stores on campus where we could buy on-the-go food which was very convenient.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We had a lot of events arranged by our program. Some memorable ones included watching plays and musicals at Shakespeare's Globe in London. That was a very good experience to see British actors in person. Some other trips that were very memorable were trips to other universities such as Cambridge University and Oxford University.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Personally, I used a lot more money than expected during my stay in the UK. Advice would be to budget more money and make sure you have enough for transportation, food, and souvenirs. Transportation costs a lot of money and I'm sure students would want to travel a lot during their stay so budget more money for that.

Language

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

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  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

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  • Americans