Questions and Answers

Generally this depends upon your major.  Classes meet once a week (usually 2 hours per class) and are more independent than what you may be used to at EIU.  Instead of having a required textbook, you will get a list of "recommended reading" from your professor, and although you are not expected to purchase all of the books, there are usually a few that are pretty important.  Since the classes meet only once a week, the reading load is pretty intensive with final assessment coming down to one paper and an exam, or two papers; for example.

What kind of classes were offered where you studied?

We were both in the humanities department, and everything from American Women Writers to Improvisational Theatre was offered. We chose our courses according to what our interests and majors were, but also what would most easily transfer. The University of Glamorgan also offered several Welsh history and literature classes that were popular with Eastern students.

 What did you do over winter break? Did you stay on campus, or where did you go?

Angela took a solo-trip around Europe, and Bethanny toured around the UK. If you have any questions about how to take a trip like one of ours, please e-mail us. If you do choose to stay on campus, usually there will be Residence Halls accessible...for a small fee. It is usually pretty reasonable to stay in halls over break, but many people that you have met over the course of the semester will invite you to stay with them, or a home-stay program may even be set up on your campus.

What kind of monetary discounts am I eligible for during travel? I've heard it can get quite expensive.

We both really recommend getting a discount on everything you can. The student rail card proved tremendously convienent, both on local trips and long distance trips. Also, the local bus station should be able to give you a bus discount card as well. Before our departure we bought ISIC (International Student Identification Cards) cards for a small fortune. It turned out that our overseas school's student card works just as well. In case all else fails, take your student ID card everywhere! It definitely helps when visiting castles and museums.

Do you have a lot of time to see sights?

I know you have heard it before, but 'Time management is key', especially if you are abroad for only one semester.  You do not receive any days off in the autumn term until Winter Break, which lasts for about 3 weeks.  There are numerous places where you can take weekend trips, and if you organize your schedule well at the beginning of term, then you may even have a three or four day weekend every week. 

Is there a lot to do there?

This will depend upon your personal interests. As far as the 'nightlife' goes, there are three pubs in our Union, one of which is a night club called Shafts. These are open till around 11:00 pm (I think) and are also open most of the day. In the UK there is a program called the NUS, which is basically the National Student Union. They organize many inter-campus activites and oversee many of the social and sports organizations as well.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities or sports while you were overseas?

Angela worked for the school's newspaper, the Leek, as cinema editor. She wrote reviews good enough to be cover stories! Bethanny wrote for Eastern's daily newspaper as a guest columnist writing about our foreign experiences. Together we played in the local community band and before the concert, even made it into the local newspaper! Being involved definitely made campus life more interesting and enjoyable.

How do the Welsh/English treat you?  Have any problems meeting people?

We have found that people are quite private in the UK culture...until you open your mouth, revealing your foreign quality.  Many people are fascinated with the American culture, but you will encounter those who despise you just because of your accent.  Luckily, we have only run into a couple of those people.  The other part of the question relies mainly on your personality.  There are always people to meet:  you can't wait for things to happen to you, you have to go out and happen to things...

What was culture shock like? How long were you gone?

We have to admit it, culture shock hit us several times during our ten month overseas stay. Everything from the food we ate, to taking the local train around the valley, to saying "pounds" instead of "dollars". But the shock differs wherever you are. Also, culture shock hit us when we returned home, knowing that it was over.

Here's a big one... do they get any NFL games shown there in the pubs or anywhere else?... probably not... but got to ask... I hate to miss my football! Good question!  You won't find much American football here (The Super Bowl was on late in the evening/early morning in the UK)  But there is often rugby and football (that's soccer to Americans) on in the Union, and in Sports Bars in larger cities. 

I want to get there early..like in the begginning of August so I can travel... is there any place that I can leave my stuff.. storage facility or something?

August is a peak travel season, so there will be a great deal of tourists;  if you are planning on staying in hostels (I recommend it) use the IBN (International Booking Network) at least a day before you arrive in your city/destination.  The European weather varies across the continent in August, but go for it!  As far as storage...Your best bet would be to send a box (by ground mail) to your room in the middle of the summer, or if you have relatives who live there, for instance, then take advantage of it! Now, we can't promise anything for your own trip, but the international advisor that we had volunteered his house as storage. Check all options and take only the necessities with you when you go over.   Remember:  you can buy stuff over there.  Yes, it will be a bit more expensive, but there is no need to send/take over lots of deoderant.  They have it there.  (I am only saying this because I have seen it happen)

How early did you have to report there?  Do you know when classes for the fall begin?  Can you tell me when the breaks are and how long they are?

The orientation date will be different for each campus, but we had to be at Glamorgan on Sept 17 for orientation, and began class on Sept 22.  Again, the breaks may differ from school to school, but our Winter Break was Dec 13-Jan 5 and Spring Break was March 30-April 20.

Will I need my computer and printer?

The voltage is quite different, and I am not sure if you would want to chance a minor explosion. It depends where you will be living, also. There are not any 24-hour computer labs (unless you check out an overnight pass from the library) but there are a few that are generally accessible from 8:00 am until 10:45 pm on the weekdays, and from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on the weekends.

One more..., does the university offer a internet server, so that while I am there I can still chat online with people, or email when I want?

Yes, there is usually an internet server on most campuses. At the University of Glamorgan, your e-mail is accessible from the internet. Some universities still are using archaic programs, but telnet capabilities are pretty common even on those systems.