Why did you decide to study abroad with the University of East Anglia's International Summer School program in England?
Stephen: Deciding where to do International Summer School was actually quite an easy task! My home university, Western University, complied a list of approved schools that offered a media related summer courses. Without my home university providing me with a list of possible schools, I would have been lost and may not have chosen to study at the University of East Anglia. Choosing the University of East Anglia (UEA) was actually one of the easiest decisions because it was the only school in the UK that offered a media related summer school program. Yes, it does sound ridiculous that I picked the university due to where it was located but that’s the reason! Once I picked UEA, I did extensive research to find out reviews, courses, and overall testimonials from past and present students. After this research, it was clear to me that UEA was the right choice for an international summer school program.
What made this study abroad experience unique and special?
Stephen: I honestly cannot fit all of the wonderful and unique experiences into this response. To sum it up, I would not trade the time at UEA for anything in the world. One of the most memorable experiences from UEA’s International Summer School program is the people that I met. It was a group of 50-60 of us from all over the world. Different cultures, languages, and interests but that was put all aside and we all became one big happy UEA family. Part of studying abroad is the people that you meet. Beyond the people that I met, my classes at UEA were awesome, original, and uplifting. Attending class each day was a new experience. Always a fresh exciting topic that encouraged learning more about the British film industry! Many laughs were shared along with deep theoretical discussion of British film and television!
How has this experience impacted your future?
Stephen: Going overseas and being thrown into an entirely new culture and atmosphere taught me to quickly adapt to the changing environment. The time spent at UEA broadened my horizon and gave me a well-rounded critical education on the media system. It is one thing to learn about another culture but to experience it first hand is another thing. I truly believe that being able to study British film and television in England helped me connect and understand the course better than compared to if I was reading it from a textbook here in Canada. Now, I am not afraid to tackle any job that comes my way and more importantly, not afraid to go beyond my comfort zone of what is expected of me. I grew and matured as an individual from time at UEA’s International Summer School.
What is one piece of advice you would offer something considering studying abroad in England?
Stephen: One piece of advice I would give to anyone considering studying abroad in England is to not just consider it, DO IT! I have travelled in other parts of Europe and I can honestly say that my England has been my favourite destination. Beyond the scenery and culture, the program at UEA is so exquisite and refreshing that I would not just encourage people to go there, I would tell them to. If I could go back to UEA, I would go back in a heartbeat. I guess one piece of advice would be to remember that England does not have air conditioners and it can get extremely hot, which it did this past summer (2013). That is the only downside, coming from a country that relies heavily on air conditioners in the summer time!