Randolph College Abroad: Program in England

I learned early in my year abroad that the British student takes work very seriously, but then has guilt free play time! Attend tutorials and seminars, do the research and written work, then join your friends for the evening.

I would wake up, have breakfast in the cafeteria, go to the library, tutorial, whatever - then there was always some dance somewhere!

I also joined friends to take a local bus to explore the country on weekends, or take a day trip to London - train tickets are inexpensive for a day-return - students can go into art museums for free! See first hand all the things you are learning about in books, it makes it all come to life, makes you really care about what you are learning. I was poor, so I'd pack marmalade sandwiches from breakfast, and buy a cup of tea somewhere!

Don't know about now, but there were always cheap - nosebleed - seats for great theatre or opera performances, and for dance, the panorama is best from up above anyway!

I traveled to Germany for my winter break, Greece and Italy for spring - again, poor, but rail passes, grocery store or market for food - one learns the language very quickly when negotiating for staples. I met so many people who were willing to help.

The experience at Reading is one I will never forget. I had tutors who would answer every question, or send me to find even more questions, which is even better.

The group tours we took to stately homes, palaces, gardens, after having the information about history, architecture, political climate - opened my eyes which, I hope, have remained open.

My year in the World in Britain program was formative and life affirming. While in Reading, I made many new best friends, gained cultural experience and sensitivity, had the opportunity to take graduate level classes in my area of interest (public health) and travel to amazing places. The program administration is the best with an in house program director to coach students through new experiences. The rapport the program has with the University of Reading virtually guarantees admission into exciting and interesting classes and an identity on campus. Reading is a great city only 30 minutes from Paddington by train and boasts the second best location in the South of England to shop next to London. The camaraderie I was able to establish with my peers and housemates is one that I carry well after graduation and the opportunity to return to Reading a few months ago, 2 years after I left, reaffirmed my opinion that this is the best program for study abroad in England.

I loved attending classes, working, and living in England for an entire year! I would definitely recommend attending for the year, instead of just one semester if possible. The field trips were amazing as we were able to see history that America simply doesn't have. The houses were wonderful to live in, and the roommates are great. Students who go to Reading in this program are interested in having fun, but also have an educational experience. That's a great combination... you'll make lasting memories and friendships!

I graduated in 2004, and my year abroad in the Reading program is still the best year of my life, for many reasons--the opportunity to take tutorials with Oxford professors, the proximity of Reading to London and the continent, and the sheer wonderfulness of the program director. One of my fondest memories is of taking a Victorian novel class with just one other student at the program director's house, where we'd discuss the 800-page book of the week over tea and with his cat purring next to us on the couch. Heaven!
Another wonderful thing about this program is that you go with a cohort of classmates, so you aren't just thrown abroad to fend for yourself; you're on a learning curve with other students from your institution. My sister spent her junior year abroad in Leeds but as an individual student, and she often felt overwhelmed because she didn't know who to ask for help.

I had the best time on my study aboard year! As a history major I got to travel and see so many things I had learned about. As I look back over college it was the best decision I made to spend that year traveling and studying in England.

My year in Reading was truly a life changing experience and one that I think of often. The friendships made there are some of my closest and most cherished friendships. The close relationships that we made among ourselves as well as with the faculty and university students were so special. There were so many wonderful opportunities to travel, both during the term breaks and once a term as a group for our seminar course. I would highly recommend this program to anyone thinking of studying in England. Reading is so close to London and Oxford which gives you so many more opportunities to study and explore

The Randolph College study abroad program in Reading, England is a world-view changing experience for the lucky students who attend. This program offers a balance of individualized attention and guidance while also encouraging students to go it alone and explore new activities, cultures, and experiences.

Attending the Randolph College program is not only is an avenue to great experiences but connects students to an amazing group of the study abroad program's alums. The program even holds 'reunions' for those who attended.

I spent my junior year abroad at Reading and absolutely recommend the program. The only negative was that the year ended far too soon!

The year I spent with 29 women who became among my closest friends was the most challenging and rewarding, both intellectually, socially, psychologically, and in every way, of my life. The living situation, in small houses, was most conducive to making lifelong friends; the academic challenges at the university and through college-provided seminars, very challenging; the field trips all over Britain offered oppportunities to get to know both the country and its history;being close to a rail line made it easy to experience London and its culture; taking courses at the University of Reading made it possible to get to know British students, as well. Long vacations were well-spent in travelling around GB and Europe. This unique program had a lasting impact on every student who attended.