The University of Sheffield

Uni of is a really well-respected university in the UK and as an exchange student you also benefit from its high-caliber academics. As an English Literature student, I wrote about two 5-10 page papers per module and engaged in a lot of critical and theoretical reading throughout the semester. I thought the support system in terms of libraries and access to discussion with professors was excellent, although the registration process was a nightmare (most people could not get into the courses they'd chosen prior to arriving, but we weren't told this until we were on location). The school does a great job providing social mixers and events to university students in general and for international students specifically, even if you start mid-year like I did.

The university housing is extremely nice, 6-8-person flats with private rooms and bathrooms and a large kitchen/common area. I never felt unsafe in Sheffield, although I lived in Broomhill student housing, which is on the nice side of town. I know someone who had her phone stolen closer to city centre, so like in any city, you have to pay attention to your surroundings. There's a great bar and club scene downtown, easily accessible by bus and cab, whether you want a night out or just a place to grab drinks for a couple hours. Sheffield is also right next door to the Peak District, a beautiful national park with loads of hiking, bouldering, and historical sightseeing opportunities (lots of Bronte and Jane Austen history!).