International Summer School Past Review

By Dominique L (Political Science/ International Affairs and Global Studies, University of California - Riverside) for

University of Sussex: Brighton - International Summer School

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Being at Sussex did not really change my outlook on the world. It was great meeting new people yet a lot of students enrolled in the program were from the US. At first I felt such a thrill being in a different country yet it became routine. After the first week it just seemed like I was at my home University only that it was England. Not much was different to me. I thought my study experience had changed my interest in my major but when I think abut it, it clouded my mind rather then enlightened it. I am still interested in going abroad but I would go about it a different way. I 've always wanted to go abroad and this was one of many experiences to come.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I enjoyed to expectation and subject matter of the course material that was offered. I also enjoyed the class participation including activities and presentations which allowed us to learn more than what was given in the textbook.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	I wish the trips had more space on them it would have been a greater experience to be able to be shown around by other students from the university. I wasn't able to interact so much with students who attended the host school. Overall it was an okay experience.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The kitchen supplies were not so clean. I avoided cooking hot meals until the end of the trip. It was cool that they cleaned your room once a month. By bus the trip into town was about 20 - 3 minutes which wasn't so bad but I wish we were able to drive.
* Food:	The food on campus was decent. Most of the cafes sold baguettes but the options were very limited.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	The pub crawl offered at the beginning of every session was okay, but it didn't allow for interaction with local people so much. When I strayed from the student group I was able to meet people from the city. It was fun to take the bus into town with your friends and it was convenient it would run into the late hours. I wish there was more interaction with the students within the program. There were people that I did not meet until halfway into the second session that I never knew attended the program from first session. I went on one of the ISS trips which was pretty cool but I wish they had offered more of the others since they filled up so fast.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	N/A
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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Its a good safe program if you want to go abroad and they speak English. Plan trips ways ahead of time if you want to explore. Explore as much of the UK not just major cities in Europe.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Democracy and Human RIghts
Course Department:	IS187
Instructor:	Mark Somos
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I enjoyed his course. It was very challenging as well as enlightening. The tutor was extremely knowledgeable and was very helpful with the couse material. I was more engaged in the course since it was a small class.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Human Rights: Bridging Theory and Practice
Course Department:	IS196
Instructor:	Zana Vathi
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I enjoyed the course but it made me want to to stay away from that side of the political aspect. I wish we had reading requirements that were set. I learned alot about events that have happened concerning human rights around the world and the stories that have been hushed. I would relate it to my global studies major but i wish we didn't just cover basics.
Credit Transfer Issues: