Study Abroad at Harlaxton College in the UK

My experience at Harlaxton has been great. The classes are challenging, but professors are so helpful. My living space is average size, but honestly I spend more time actually out socializing than in my room. The staff is so kind and I’ve had a great time here. I have made such amazing friends that I’ve gotten to travel the world with and we are already planning trips to see each other when we are home. Harlaxton truly is the place to study abroad. If you are at all considering this program, I highly recommend it.

I fell in love with Harlaxton not because of that beautiful old building, or because of all the wonderful travel stories. I fell in love with the Harlaxton community. The faculty are top notch, the staff had all sorts of crazy stories to share, and there were all kinds of fun activities to engage in. Everyone studying at Harlaxton was there for different reasons, but we were all able to come together through this incredible shared experience. This experience was beautiful in all of the best ways and I can't imagine not having gone!

I have never felt more fortunate to engage in a study abroad program like Harlaxton. It allows you to meet people from all across the nation and even the world. It really is like going to regular school but in the English countryside. Travel on the weekends is highly encouraged and there are several resources available to help you with the planning process. Professors and staff understand the importance of cultural immersion and prioritize your travel experiences. There is no program like Harlaxton!!

A semester at Harlaxton is a semester well spent. Classes are of high importance and offer a standard of academics that are on-par with a typical university but are only M-Th (only M-W some special weeks!). This means you have almost every weekend to travel either around the British Isles or into mainland Europe! I went not knowing anyone and with no trips planned - I ended up making so many new lifelong friends and traveling to 7 different countries! You also have the opportunity to have a "meet-a-family" which is essentially a host family (except you don't live with them). This offers that host family feel and uniqueness that most programs offer, and your main residence is still in a gorgeous country house FULL of life and history. I highly recommend this program to any university student looking to study abroad during their college years - you won't regret it!

There was so much I loved about Harlaxton, it's hard to put it all down here. I suppose one thing I enjoyed and valued the most was the Meet-a-Family program. It helped me grow closer to the local community, as well as British culture as a whole. Plus, I made some amazing friendships and bonds with my fellow students and families who were a part of the program! The manor and surrounding grounds are gorgeous, and so much fun to explore and hang around in, no matter the season. The village of Harlaxton itself is also so cozy and quaint, and its people are so nice and friendly. Grantham was also a lovely town, small enough to not overwhelm but big enough to enjoy exploring all the shops and sights, though a word of wisdom to incoming visitors to the manor: don't attempt to walk to Grantham. It's a longer distance than you initially think!

Harlaxton was the best experience a student traveling alone could ask for. I came from my university by myself and although I was nervous, once I arrived and met other people, I had easily acclimated into my new home. So, if you are feeling apprehensive about traveling alone, try not to worry too much about being isolated and struggling to meet people because you will be immersed. The living arrangements were better than my freshman dorms back in the states. The beds were comfortable and the wardrobes very spacious with desks for work needs. There is also a sink in the room which comes in handy for brushing your teeth and other morning rituals. The rooms do not have air conditioning though, and my room had one window, so it can get hot from time to time. The classes taught at Harlaxton are very good and easy going for the most part. You will have to put in some effort, but nothing too strenuous. MAKE SURE TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUR HOUSE COMPETITIONS. This was the best and most exciting times at the manor because you have to work with your teams to overcome challenges to win the house cup (which is the key to Harlaxton manor). This program, especially in the summer, is very fast paced. You arrive and have a full agenda from the early morning until the dead of night. This includes your meals, class, local cultural trips, exploring the manor, meeting up with friends, going to the bistro, packing for weekend trips, going into Grantham, participating in house competitions, etc. You will never find yourself with nothing to do. As for the school trips to Paris, London, etc. I recommend signing up for them if you don't know people ahead of time when traveling abroad. This way you have trips planned in advance and know all your travel arrangements. If you don't, then the friends you meet at Harlaxton might be going on the school trips and you will either have to stay behind those weekends or plan your trip entirely by yourself, which is stressful to say the least. Leaving one weekend open is also good so that when you do meet people you can plan a separate trip as a group if you want. All in all though the trips are fantastic and I highly recommend going on them, you will not be disappointed. Harlaxton and its staff are amazing, making you both at ease and nostalgic when you have to leave. If you like country scenery and taking pictures that make your friends home jealous, Harlaxton is for you.

I really don't know where to begin, other than to just say that studying abroad at Harlaxton for a month was an absolutely amazing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life! During the (fast-paced) month, I visited London, York, Cambridge, Wales, and Edinburgh, Scotland (not to mention the local day-trips!). I was able to walk along the Tower Bridge, visit Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, 4 museums in London, Yorkminster, saw a play at the Globe Theatre, had some great food in really old pubs, walked in Penrhyn castle and Beaumaris castle in Wales, did a Puffin Island tour, hiked to Llyn Idwal in Snowdonia, had afternoon tea in Leister, visited Isaac Newton's home, went to Edinburgh castle, shopped on the Royal Mile, did a Ghost Tour in Edinburgh, hiked to Arthur's Seat and saw an amazing view of the city, tried Haggis (it was actually really good.... don't let those sheep lungs fool you lol), and so much more. The manor itself is breathtaking, and I felt like I was living in a castle; I so enjoyed exploring the surrounding grounds, going for bikerides in Harlaxton village, walking through the woods, etc. I came alone to Harlaxton, and as so, was worried at first if I would be able to make friends in such a short period of time.... quite the opposite!... I met so many amazing people during my time there, and made many life-long memories. The program (+ airplane and excursions) is very expensive, but ultimately, I believe it was worth every penny!

Have you ever gone somewhere new and then asked yourself what you were doing there or why, how long till you leave, you know, busy mind stuff? You never have these questions when you are at Harlaxton College. You remain up to date with your studies, it is, after all, a school, so no stress about getting left behind by your friends.
Almost all the trips have a purpose either educational or just plain fun. You get to see cathedrals, castles and so much more and in many cases, learn about how they came to be. And, you are emboldened to travel independently to all the countries around you because you know that Harlaxton will be there to catch you at the end of your trips.
It is a beautiful and magical place and the people there are very supportive.