By Megan Boote, University of Northern Iowa

Pounds and pence. Accents and afternoon tea. Cricket and crumpets. Football and foot-and-mouth disease. These and so much more made up my once-in-a-lifetime experience of studying in England for a semester. I learnt many things about myself along with gaining a better understanding of how the world runs and what life is like outside of the United States.

Leaving for a new place all by myself and spending four months away from family, friends and the familiar surrounds of home helped me mature a great deal and become more independent and self-sufficient.

As I began to develop friendships with international students, as well as UK students, I learnt that although they come from many different backgrounds from all over the world, people are basically the same everywhere you go.

From an academic point of view I feel my semester in Hull was also a great success. The class structure and emphasis on the ‘higher learning’ part of higher education in England encouraged me to explore and learn more on my own. This made the information and materials more meaningful, and as a result I believe I learned more and will retain more knowledge than I would have in the equivalent general education classes at my home university.

Although I learnt a lot through my studies, I often felt that my trip was more like a four-month vacation with a few classes on the side. I was able to see many parts of England through the International Students’ Association on the Hull Campus. I also had the opportunity to backpack for three weeks on the European continent during the Easter holiday.

As the world continues to become smaller and smaller through increased communication and advanced technology, and it becomes further economically globalised, I believe it is more important than ever to be able to see the bigger picture and be able to look at the world from someone else’s point of view. I feel that my experience in England has allowed me to do just that, and I believe this capability will not only put me ahead in the business world, but has also greatly enhanced my personal outlook on life now and in the years to come.

By Holly Clausen, University of New Mexico

I decided to take part in my university’s study-abroad programme when I was between my first and second years of university. I ended up choosing the University of Hull, and I am very glad that I did.

At the international orientation during the first few days after our arrival, we were told about many different opportunities Hull has for students. There are societies, clubs and organisations students can get involved in, and each one sounded better than the next. I decided to join the ladies’ football club and through that I have been able to see England’s vast and beautiful countryside on the road trips to Durham, York and Bradford.

The University is just what I had hoped for – everyone I have come into contact with has been so kind and helpful. I am taking the Sport Science course, and everyone – from the lecturers to the head of the department – has helped me feel welcome. Hull’s union is one of the best in the country and has anything and everything students need.

Hull itself is a very nice city with very nice people. The city centre is full of things to do, things to see and things to buy. At Christmas time the lights in the city centre cast a magical feeling over the city. The river runs into the city, and there are plenty of places to sit and admire the fountains as well as the river.

Even though I am enjoying my time here so much, there are a few strange things I have noticed about being in a different country. For one thing, I am the foreigner, and I never forget it. Another strange thing is all the take-aways and little shops lining the busier roads – they create a wonderful bustling atmosphere.

I understand that my views do not always agree with the views of the English because we are different, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing to be different. I have learned to adapt to my surroundings and make the most of the situations I am in.

My dreams of travelling to Europe have been realised, and I am glad to have taken on the challenges that my time abroad has thrown at me. I will look back on my time at Hull as one of the best times of my life and I will keep the memories and the friends that I have made here forever.