Experiential Report One Semester Abroad at Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge, UK, 2010 Theresia Schwaar DHBW-Student/08 DB Schenker Rail Deutschland AG
1 Table of contents 1. Anglia Ruskin University... 2 2. Application... 3 3. Accommodation... 5 4. Student life at Anglia Ruskin University... 6 4.1 Arrival and Orientation... 6 4.2 During my studies... 7 5. Life in the UK... 9
2 1. Anglia Ruskin University Anglia Ruskin University was awarded university status in 1992. Today, with a student population of 25,500, it is one of the largest universities in the East of England, and a large provider of part-time education. Students are on courses leading to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as to a range of professional qualifications. In addition to being one of the most significant suppliers of nurses and teachers to the professions, Anglia Ruskin University offers an ever expanding range of contemporary courses designed to meet the needs of the individual and the requirements of a knowledge-based economy. The main campuses at Cambridge and Chelmsford attract students not only from the East of England but in increasing numbers from mainland Europe and from further afield. In addition, the University has an extensive network of contacts with institutions throughout the world, delivering courses in countries as far removed as Malaysia and Trinidad. 2. Application The first time I heard about the opportunity to study one semester abroad was at the beginning of my studies at DHBW Mannheim. At first I did not consider it, because I thought it would be difficult, being afraid that I would miss to much lectures. But after a time, during my 4 th semester I heard again of this possibility and I saw the flexibilty and the assistence of my course of studies (forwarding, transport & logistics) for going abroad. So I definitely decided to go. In my short list were just two universities: the Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge and another university in California, USA. To improve my English skills and to get in touch with a new culture, the Anglia Ruskin was a very appropriate option. It is just a one- or two-hours flight from Germany and the study fees are cheaper than the American ones. I applied for the Visiting Study Abroad Programme (AIBS) in April 2010. It is a good opportunity for both EU and non- EU students interested in studying in the UK for a semester or a full year as part of their bachelor degree programme. Visiting
3 Study Abroad students can select modules from a wide range of undergraduate programmes offered at Anglia Ruskin University. All courses are modular and credit bearing; means that the universities which belong to the credit conversion system will accept the credits gained at the University as part of their own degree programmes. H o w t o A p p l y I completed a Visiting Student Application Form and forwarded it by airmail or fax, together with the documentation required, to the Study Abroad Adviser at Anglia Ruskin University by the deadline indicated. Within 3 weeks I received a response of receipt of application. I chose my modules (Learning Agreement) in consultation with the head of my course of studies. It was important that the chosen modules fit to my German modules in order to get the equivalent credits and to replace the overstayed german exams. But how should I complete my Learning Agreement? To find out about the modules available at Anglia Ruskin in 2009/2010 I needed to refer to the module catalogue at http://web.anglia.ac.uk/modulecatalogue/. It was also necessary to refer to the appropriate application guidelines to choose the correct programme. Confirmation of the Learning Agreement: I discussed my study programme a second time with the Departmental Tutor at Anglia Ruskin (in my case: Claire Fuiama) and finalised my module choices at the start of my semester of study in September 2010. 3. Accommodation There are two possibilities to apply for: the University accommodation and the Private sector accommodation. University accommodation: Anglia Ruskin University can offer a variety of accommodation depending on where the students course is based. E.g. the Halls of Residence, which are usually based on-campus, where the students
4 share the kitchen and hallway with other students. Some rooms are en suite (have their own shower and toilet), others share these facilities with fellow students. There are also a number of off-campus houses in the City of Cambridge where the students share communal areas but with a smaller number of students. If you are lucky, you get a room in a Univerity accomodation. Just for information: These rooms are let for a minimum of (ca.) 4 month. So in most cases you have to pay more weeks than you are in Cambridge. Private sector Accommodation: There are a range of accommodations available. According to the fact that those rooms are managed by individual landlords or agencies it is important to view any property before committing to a contract. Do not pay deposits/rents to third parties via the Internet and refer to the ARU House Hunting Checklist which can be found under this web link: http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/central/estates_facilities/accommodation_ser vices/links_and_downloads.html I also used Studentpad.co.uk to search for an accommodation, an official online search facility for private sector accommodation in the local area. I needed to contact the Accommodation Office to obtain a password. I can highly recommend to apply for the University accommodation as soon as possible, because these rooms are more limited than the ones in the private sector!!! Because of my late application I missed the chance to apply early for a single room (I started to apply for a room at the middle of june). There was hardly any kind of accommodation available at this time. In addition it is very difficult to find a room just for three months. In the majority of cases the rooms have a minimum term of six months. So I risked to travel to Cambrige without having a real accomodation, just a friend from my home university offered me a place to sleep for 3 nights. All the time I was looking for rooms and calling the ARU accomodation office without success. That s why I booked the Youth hostel YHA for another 3 nights. There I got to know two other students by chance, who were just waiting to get into their accomodation. They
5 had two more free rooms and were looking for flatmates. I checked it and in the end with another 3 students I rented half of a house in Mowbray Road from a chinese landlady for 6 month. It was a bit chancy, because I was responsible to find someone to take over the room after me otherwise I had to pay for 6 month. But again I was lucky and found my next tenant, who came also from my home university right after me. All in all, you can see that there is always a way to get through, my was a little adventurous, but I had the opportunity to see my accomodation before renting. Even so, to be on the safe side I would highly recommend to apply early and find a university accomodation, because the contracts are safer, everything is inside the rooms and it s a lot less stressfully. 4. Student life at Anglia Ruskin University 4.1 Arrival and Orientation The International Student Support team organized a free Orientation Programme for undergraduate students before the main Welcome Week. In addition you can visited an information sessions as part of the Induction programme for new undergraduate students. There you receive a comprehensive information pack and an advice on the academic system and registration procedures, which was explained well and usefully. Furthermore, they advise on organizing the life in a new city, e.g. which mobile phone SIM card should I buy? In my case, I missed this first week because I was still in Milan working for my company. It wasn t a problem for me to arrive a week later, because I had some friends who attended the Orientation Programme and provided me with all the necessary information. The week after the Orientation Programme is the first week of a semester, it is called Freshers Week. A lot of different activities took place during those seven days e.g. the freshers fair. It was a good chance to meet other students, to explore Cambridge and its surroundings and to organize different things, such as getting internet access.
6 4.2 During my studies Choosing to study in Cambridge gave me the chance to experience student life in a beautiful and culturally diverse city unlike any other. Full of interesting people, places, and things to do, Cambridge is the perfect student city. Whether I enjoyed music and the arts, sports and exercise, or shopping and socialising, Cambridge has a lot to offer. It is a safe and secure city in which to live, study and travel around was always a pleasure. Cambridge is less than an hour from London by train, with good transport connections to the whole of the UK. It is also beautiful and very historic, though you can see some modern buildings here and there. The parks and gardens are great places to hang around and also to relax. It is very international and friendly. There are cafes and restaurants from all over the world, and lots of events with an international atmosphere that even English people enjoy too! The ARU Campus is located in the centre of the city and has more or less everything I would expect of a well-resourced, modern university. There are lecture halls, seminar rooms, laboratories and studios equipped for teaching a wide range of degree courses. In addition there is a library, a theatre, a medical centre, and great social facilities. An ongoing investment program has added new facilities including art studios, and a high-tech Language Centre. In my opinion I achieved a lot of support from my different advisers at the ARU. If I had some questions, they would be glad to help me. There are plenty facilities to support my daily student life: University Library The University Library has a huge collection of books, journals, audiovisual and webbased materials. If I needed guidance using the library, or advice about the best sources of information, the specialist librarians were on hand to help me. The library also offers individual study booths, reading areas and smaller rooms for group work,
7 so it's an ideal environment for personal study - it is even open late at night and at weekends. Computing services Anglia Ruskin offers open access IT facilities for all students, including wireless broadband. Most departments also have their own specialist computing facilities including software related to their disciplines. Communication systems The University's E-vision service gave me direct access to my personal and academic record from any location, whether you're on campus, elsewhere in the UK, or overseas. I could also update personal information such as addresses, and check up on your marks and grades. My current timetable has been showed at E-vision. (https://e-vision.anglia.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_lgn) I also had my own Anglia Ruskin email account to which news and information were sent. English language support Anglia Ruskin offers an English language evaluation on arrival to determine the level of support I required, and then provide both free in-course English language and study skills support and credit-bearing English language modules as part of the programme of study. The Language Centre The Language Centre at Anglia Ruskin is open to all students of the university to enhance their language learning through self-access facilities. The facilities on offer include English language learning materials, computer programs and CD-ROMs, satellite television channels in a number of languages, and mini audio labs with recording facilities for language pronunciation practice. I borrowed a lot of Spanish and English movies to improve my skills in those foreign languages.
8 5. Life in the UK In comparison with some countries, the UK appears to be an expensive place to live. Fortunately I planned sensibly and kept more or less the budget. Retrospectively, I found it affordable to live and study in the UK. The International Student Calculator (www.studentcalculator.org.uk/international) helped me to plan my costs ahead. This online tool also helped me to build a lifestyle budget by week or month. My total costs for one semester: Accommodation Food Clothing Books and stationery Personal (laundry ) Telephone (lebera sim-card) Travel Miscellaneous Total 900 pounds 600 pounds 350 pounds 100 pounds 200 pounds 140 pounds 250 pounds 150 pounds 2690 pounds My monthly cost 897 pounds Other factors to consider: I had to pay a deposit of 450 pounds I had to pay study fees of 1500 pounds All in all it had been a wonderful time. I learned a lot, either from the British culture and the British way of study. I can highly recommend spending a semester abroad. My best thanks to the head of my course of studies who made this experience possible to me in the first place.