Advanced Studies in England: Semester in Bath

ASE is a great program. Hands down, one of the best decisions I've ever made. I loved the trip to Stratford-upon-Avon the most - being able to see three Royal Shakespeare Company shows was life-changing. I formed a lot of close friendships while also gaining a lot of confidence, whether that be academically, socially, or personally. Bath is an absolutely beautiful city that is small enough that you can really get to know every single part of it and feel like a real resident, but big enough that there's still always something to do.

I was part of this program for a full academic year, and the decision to apply was the best I've made in quite some time. Living in Bath is a uniquely special experience. It's a place where rich history lives alongside a hub of bustling tourism, meaning there's always something to do if you look for it. ASE puts a lot of effort into ensuring its students have as many opportunities as they want to take advantage of; your level of involvement in the community is almost completely customizable to your comfort level, but you have to take initiative. There are mandatory study trips to Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, and Stonehenge, as well as course-specific class trips (for example, to nearby Glastonbury), which means that every student will experience life beyond Bath to some degree. The three-day weekends also allow students an abundance of travel time, as the importance of fully integrating into and exploring the country is stressed early on in the program. In terms of academics, the workload is rigorous but not impossibly difficult, and the smaller class sizes allow for a more personalized learning experience. Every tutor I had was enthusiastic and incredibly knowledgeable about their subject of choice, and the way classes and essays were structured meant that I developed further as an academic. Equally dedicated and personable were the ASE staff members, who were genuinely friendly and supportive, and I found it hard to leave them behind come the end of my second semester. Altogether, this program offers a perfect blend between schoolwork, social activity, and cultural exploration, and I know that the lessons I learned (both academically and personally) and the friends I made will stick with me for a long time.

Summer 2014 in Bath is something I will never, ever forget. I learned so much and made wonderful, true friends. It's been one year and my Linley Housemates and I still talk pretty regularly! I honestly think that I came out of my ASE experience a better version of myself because of all of the support I had from faculty and classmates, the beauty and history of the city and other travel destinations, and of course, all of the laughs and smiles. I wish my school schedule had worked out so that I could do a semester or even a year with ASE, but I am so grateful for my couple of months. I wouldn't trade my experience for the world!

ASE's program was incredible. Bath is a beautiful city and by spending a semester there and involved with ASE you really get to the city. Everything that ASE does, from the housing to the trips to the activities to the staff's friendliness, creates a home away from home. I felt so comfortable living in Bath because of what ASE provided for me in the program. The academics were hard, but I thoroughly enjoyed my classes and the tutors are absolutely brilliant. They know literally everything about what they're teaching, and then some. It was so great to get to know them and to know their subjects so in-depth. The workload can feel overwhelming at times, but I came out of the semester knowing so much more than I did and inspired by everything that I learned. The program also takes you to Oxford for a week and to Stratford-upon-Avon for a few days and both of these trips are great. I was so grateful that ASE took us there, showed us the ins and outs of the towns and then gave us plenty of free reign to roam and explore. It's hard to encompass everything I did and learned and felt during my time abroad with ASE, but it was simply amazing.

ASE was everything I wanted in a study abroad experience! The academics are more demanding than most programs, but with the right balance the classes can be really rewarding. The city is beautiful and feels surprisingly safe, and the ASE staff are all friendly and helpful. Definitely don't overlook the internship programme--my placement (at Mr B's) was one of the highlights of my semester!

What a wonderful experience. I can honestly say the past semester was the best of my college career. I had never heard of Bath before applying to ASE and I'm so incredibly happy. The city is ever so lovely and the ASE staff, professors and students were unparalleled. Just apply!!!

ASE is a fantastic program. The academics are more challenging than you normally find on a study abroad program, so don't come on this program expecting to just party. You will learn and be challenged in great courses with excellent teachers. You really do have to put effort into your schoolwork, but they also give you plenty of time to explore Bath, the rest of the UK, and Europe, if you want to.The program staff is incredibly helpful, friendly, accommodating, wonderful...They go out of their way to make sure you're having a good semester.