Program Reviews

The city: It has a beautiful big castle and it is on the coast. Although the main beach is not super gorgeous, if you take the TRAM just a few minutes north, there are some incredibly beautiful beaches that will astound you (ex. Cabo de las Huertas). The climate is somewhat similar to So Cal weather but the summer is hotter and more humid. The center of the city is small and the area where all the bars are is also pretty small but it is in the coolest old part of town. Alicante is a tourist destination, it is not very authentic Spanish culture if that is what you are looking for. The city is really safe, just have to watch out for thieves like in all the rest of Spain.
Big plus about the city: it's cheap!!!

Social scene: Lots of students! Most from all over Europe, but not necessarily Spain. If you come to Alicante to study, it can be tough to find Spanish friends because there are so many exchange students, but I would really suggest to make it a priority to speak Spanish while you are here! Don't just stay in a group with Americans the entire time. The nightlife here is fun but it might feel monotonous at times, especially since most places play the same type of commercial music. That's why you have to travel to experience more diversity!

School: Depending on your subject and luck, classes can be really tough or easy. Your level of Spanish should be really good but it does not need to be perfect. Good news is teachers are generally more lenient with the exchange students, especially if you speak with them one on one. Do not expect to get straight A's here and expect to study.

If you come here, be sure to TRAVEL around Spain! Alicante is small so traveling on days off of school is the best thing to do and traveling is cheap!! And Spain is SO amazing, every city is different.

My experience has been great. I met friends that I know I will have for the rest of my life and I've seen places that are incredibly special here in Spain.

Traveling abroad is what you make of it....it can be the best time of your life, it is mine!

Not much to say that hasn't already been said. This was absolutely worth every penny that you spend, and it's a lot of pennies. I haven't met anyone who said "Gosh, I sure do regret studying abroad."
There's a ton of stuff to do with a group of friends or on your own. Keep an open mind because the more stuff you do, the more fun you have.

Difficulties: Finding housing - the staff in Coventry were extremely unhelpful, told us we should "just keep looking around the city, maybe even Birmingham" and that there was "nothing we can do to help".
The Theatre and Professional Practice program was much more basic and elementary in comparison with the Theatre Arts program at Long Beach State. I did not learn very much about theatre but I did learn about how to deal with people in the arts that may not be at your same level and still having to work with them to create something collaboratively. It was a lot of work on patience.
Highlights: I loved the small town feel. The city was perfect in allowing me to truly get to know the people and experience the culture. I was thankful to not be in London getting lost in some big city. It was nice to call Coventry home for 4 months.

I would only recommend this program to someone if they were simply looking to experience a culture different from their own and go abroad and learn and experience art outside of the university setting. However, if they wanted to go abroad and increase their actor training then no, I would not recommend this program. You will not receive quality training - there were times I became frustrated because I felt I was wasting time in classes when I could have been out exploring art and culture via a variety of venues outside of the university.

Leicester was such an amazing place. It has the best of two places in one city: the urban and suburban scene. The student accommodation that I stayed at was in a suburban area, but as you head towards Uni and town, you'll start seeing the city life with shopping, buildings, and monuments (such as the Clock Tower in the city centre).
Everyone was really friendly and welcoming. The students in my classes were always interested in my views coming from a different country, but the feeling was mutual. It's interesting to see a country that speaks the same language can have such a different culture than what you're used to.
The campus was really small, but that's a good thing since you won't have to walk too far to get from one place of campus to the other. The library had a great selection of books for doing your papers, but don't pull it off to the last minute because all the books will be checked out by then.
The dining hall food, well, it's dining hall food. You can't expect more than that. Haha. I mean, even when the food was rubbish, you are always with your housemates chatting and catching up with your day and figuring out everyone's plans for the night.
Overall, my experience in England was amazing. I wouldn't take anything back!

Absolutely loved the program! Housing was a little bit of an issue though. If you are going make sure you talk to the housing office right away. A lot of their places only have 1 year leases, even the dorms. Besides the issues with housing though it was wonderful. I absolutely loved it!

The best part of the experience is making friends from all over the world. Advice: leave your comfort zone...but really. Hang out with Germans, even if you don't know the language, you will learn if you make even the smallest effort. Hang out with the French guys, their humor transcends any language/cultural barrier. Hang with the spicy Spanish, hospitable Italians, etc. Don't be a tourist all the time.

I have also learned how little a person needs to get by in terms of clothing and possessions. But make sure (for winter semester) pack warm-- *layers. Coming from California, I thought how cold could it really be? Answer: Cold. But Hamburg does not get very much snow, only a lot of slush. So bring shoes that will keep your feet dry-- (for winter semester//summer semester weather has been pretty descent).

Food is cheap. Beer is cheap :). I've spent on average 50-70 euros per month on groceries, but that's scraping by. Everyone's needs are different. From the groceries you buy to the life-long friends you will make, your experience is 100% what you make of it. Classes at university are only one small factor. As an art student, HAW gives students a lot of freedom. So it's up to you if you want to learn something.

Really be where you are at the present time, and savor and enjoy every moment of it.

I loved Oldenburg, it was totally the right choice for me. I was in the masters program, so my German was good already, but the fact that Oldenburg is not a big tourist city and that you actually have to speak German there made it possible for me to hone my skills even more. Oldenburg is the perfect sized city for an exchange program - it's big enough that there is plenty to do, lots of theater, concerts, parades and street events, etc., and there's a big Innenstadt with every store you'll ever need, but it's also small enough that you don't feel anonymous and you actually make real friends. When you're on campus, you will definitely run into people you know, and when you're in the Innenstadt or around town, you almost always run into friends. It has the small-town feeling of family and solidarity with the cultural offers of a bigger city. When I first moved there, I thought I would be going to Bremen a lot to satisfy my need for the 'big city' feel, and to go to better restaurants/stores etc., but I found that it really wasn't necessary!! I think I only went to Bremen twice during my whole year in Oldenburg.

I took masters courses in the Germanistik department, and they were all excellent. If you see a class with Sabine Doering, definitely take it, she's one of the best professors I've ever had. She's the kind of professor I want to become one day!

I totally miss riding my bike around Oldenburg and running into friends everywhere. Sometimes I go on google maps and look at it again and get all nostalgic!

If you're considering this program, feel free to contact me! lisa.beesley at vanderbilt.edu

London was by far the most rewarding experience of my life! My experience abroad changed my life dramatically and completely changed my outlook on my life back in the States. I grew so much while I was abroad and learned life lessons I don't think I would have encountered living in the States where everything is normal to me. I lost my passport while traveling and never freaked out, I was able to trace my steps and found it. I don't know how I would have handled such a situation prior to my experience abroad!

Another amazing aspect of studying abroad is getting to know other people in your program and building life long friendships. You experience these adventures with these people and you will forever have a bond with them. I am constantly looking back on my 12,000 + pictures (no I am not exaggerating) and can remember our adventures vividly. I also had the opportunity to stay longer and traveled 3 months after school got out. I even spent my 21st birthday in Istanbul, Turkey! Honestly, Who can say that?

Based off of my own personal experience I would say to each one of you to go! GO, GO, GO!!! When are you going to have another opportunity to live abroad and have nothing to worry about?! This is the time in your life to do something dramatic, something different and nothing should stand in your way! I know so many people who have told me a number of times they wish they had studied abroad but chose not to in order to finish college in four years. With the state of our school, I don't think it is going to put you that much more behind if I can be honest. So... Go travel, experience life abroad, and make life long friendships!!!!

Studying in London was the best experience ever!!! I had to take out loans to do this trip, but it was worth every dollar!! The apartments you are able to live in are in a very nice area and clean. They are a bit small, but expect everything to be smaller than in the US. The classes were not very hard (but it depends on the professors you take). My professor didn't want us to spend hours on school work, she wanted us to be able to enjoy our time in London. The social scene is AMAZING and has everything you can want. It ranges from small pubs, to larger bars, and clubs. Finding places where the locals hang out is always fun. The internship opportunity you have with this program is GREAT. Although you have to fill out a visa, which is a pain in the butt (don't worry cause the study abroad office will help you with it) it is an amazing experience. You get to know the locals even better, experience a different work environment, and add it to your resume. This program sets up alot of outings that you can sign up for (most are additional costs) like day trips to Oxford, Bathe, Leeds Castle, and Stonehenge. These are great opportunities to go out of the city of London and see different places. Also, the trips are all booked for you so its simple to do. Although you can be afraid of leaving your friends and family or traveling alone, you shouldn't be. The group of students you go with instantly turn into your family. You have more than enough people to go out with, travel with, and study with. So don't be afraid to go alone because you will make instant connections.

Overall, this trip is the best thing I've ever done!!! Don't go through college and miss this opportunity.

I'm just going to cut to the chase. Make the decision to study abroad and don't ask too many questions. Basically, what you need to know is, save money up and prepare to have it all taken away for one of the best times of your life. Yes, there's going to be ups and downs such as getting used to a different environment, etc, etc. but don't let that steer you away. My advice, learn to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and the rest will take care of itself.

Personal Tips:
- Do what YOU want to do. If everyone else is partying and you want to hit the city for the sights, then do it, even if it means going alone.
- Take advantage of every second you have while abroad, don't wait until the very end to do the things you want to do.
- You're STUDYING abroad, so don't forget you still have assignments to complete and classes to attend.
- On a budget? Well you better budget your spending between 800-1000 pounds to be comfortable. Trust me, you're going to want to spend money. The budget increases if you plan to travel to other countries. (Yes, it's expensive!)

Now go sign up.