UK OK for a life-changing experience
Tony Brown
For over twelve years Edge Hill University has been offering students from the
USA the chance to experience education – and life – in the UK.
Over 500 students have now taken part in the study abroad programme, where
students remain registered at their home institution but spend one or two
semesters at Edge Hill and are awarded credits for each course completed.
Students are able to choose from Edge Hill’s extensive range of courses across
the liberal arts and take advantage of the field experience programmes.
These provide opportunities for students to explore the British education
system or other settings such as the voluntary sector or workplace first hand by
spending time in professional settings.
One student whose experiences on the study abroad programme in autumn 2008
were so life changing that she decided to come and live and work in the UK is
Ashley Carpenter, from Ohio, USA.
“I have wanted to be a teacher since I was six years old and was studying early
childhood education at Ashland University in Ohio. I had never been to the UK
before, so was keen to compare the place with my preconceived notions, and I
also wanted to be able to speak the language fluidly with locals to allow me to
learn as much about the culture as I could.
“My biggest worry beforehand was whether the English students would be
welcoming towards us Americans, but I was slightly surprised and extremely
happy to quickly learn they have a great sense of humour and were just as keen
to meet us as we were them. I was struck by what a warm, inviting campus it was
and the professors also understood the short-term situation of the study abroad
student, which was great.
“I took the recommended four modules for my autumn semester; two of which
were ‘core classes’ as we call them, while the other two – safeguarding children
in sport and developmental psychology – were ones that would count towards
my teaching degree.
“I have nothing but positive things to say about my time at Edge Hill and, because
of this experience, I have grown so much as a person. I have become more
independent, learned how to manage my time and money, and it has given me an
opportunity to express myself with confidence. I was always outgoing anyway,
but at Edge Hill I learned how to really talk to people with no fear of not living
up to expectations. These lessons helped me so much when I returned to the
United States and now with my teaching. Being so far away from everyone and
everything I know helped me find out who I really am.
“Now that I have graduated from Ashland I have decided to take a chance and
live in the place I think about all the time – the UK – thanks to my Edge Hill
experience. It was so amazing to be at a campus where I was not one of a million
Americans studying abroad – as it can be in larger cities – but instead I was one
in a million. I can’t wait to begin my new life.”
International students who realise there is more to England than London and
who are interested in Edge Hill’s study abroad programme can take advantage of
the following:
- Airport pick-up/return (Manchester International Airport)
- College and academic orientation
- On-campus accommodation in a single room
- Flexible meal plan allowing up to 12 meals per week on campus
- Four academic courses
- The support of the USA Student Liaison Professor
- All college learning and support services
- Internet and email access via the LRC and LINC buildings
- The services of the Centre for International Education
Hope you enjoyed reading!
Peace.
