Home

 

Getting Experience

- # of # Filtered -

A Literary Education in the UK

Q&A with Ashlee: Studied in the UK
Share this
Print this
Ashlee
Studied in the UK
Her thoughts on The Right Attitude
I only regret that there were places I didn’t visit because I was nervous. To anyone studying abroad I recommend taking advantage of invitations and solo adventures. See everything you can.
Her thoughts on Cultural Differences
In Canada, classes are lecture-based with lots of note taking. But about halfway through my first class in England we put down our pens and to debate us to really think and gain the confidence needed to speak our opinions.
Her thoughts on Taking It All In
I'm an aspiring author, and I was interested in walking the same streets as the greatest writers.

When and where did you study abroad? Did you have a study focus?

I studied abroad at Regent Park College, which is a college under Oxford University in England. I was there for the winter/spring semester as an associate student through Crandall University in New Brunswick, Canada. I am an English major and went to complete four of my required courses, as well as explore a new part of the world.

What made you want to study abroad?

I always wanted to travel and as an aspiring author, I have always been interested in walking the same streets as some of the greatest writers. Although studying abroad seemed so glamorous, I was worried about the language and cultural differences. Going to England helped ease some of those worries because at least I know the language. When I learned about the Oxford Program at Crandall University, I knew that was where I was meant to go.

How did you search for programs? What made you select your program?

I attended a college fair and approached a booth for a small Christian university in New Brunswick Canada. At the time I wanted to study journalism and wasn’t totally convinced the program was for me. It wasn’t until I learned about the Oxford program, in which I would be able to live and study Shakespeare and Drama at Oxford University, that I became intrigued. I looked at a few other universities at the college fair that had studying abroad programs, but the cost was reasonable at Crandall’s, as well as the living situation.

What was the biggest surprise about your study abroad experience?

The biggest surprise I experienced was at how at home I felt. Instead of living on the university campus, we were placed in host homes in a small town just outside of Oxford. I was able to learn about the culture in a cosy setting as well as get to know many residents of the town. At the university itself, we were always around students from Oxford, whether it was in the dining hall or the library, and they were nothing but welcoming.

What made your study abroad experience abroad a success?

My success came from my desire to be there and to really get everything out of the experience. Although it was not a typical study abroad program in that we were all students from Canada who were in the classes and had tutors from other colleges come in and teach us. I still strived to succeed in one of the highest esteemed universities in the world. Remaining open minded and making the best of every situation was the key to my success.

Do you have a classroom story that gave you particular insight into other cultures?

In Canada, many of our classes are lecture based with a heavy importance put on note taking. About halfway through my first class at Regent Park our tutor asked us to put down our pens and to debate an issue found in the Greek tragedies. From there on all of our classes were discussion based which involved breaking into smaller groups to combine ideas to present to the class. It really is a better way of learning because it caused us to really think and gain the confidence needed to speak our opinions.

What is your number one tip for anyone hoping to follow in your footsteps?

If I had one thing to tell someone, I would tell them to take every opportunity to explore each place they visit. I had the opportunity to see London, Oxford, Bath, as well as Florence and Rome in Italy, and I regret that there were some places I didn’t visit because I was nervous to go alone. So, to anyone studying abroad they should take advantage of invites from people as well as solo adventures to see everything they can.

Do you have any final observations on your experience?

I never would have thought that I could fall in love with a place as much as I did with Oxford. I felt comfortable walking around the city at night just looking at the lights and going into small art and book shops. I learned more in those three months than I would have expected and memories from classes are something I will never forget. I made great friends while I was there and am already making plans to go back. Students should try and take even just a small amount of time to travel because it builds appreciation for study and for the world.

Describe an experience from your time abroad that made a particularly strong impression on you.

The first full day I was in England, was the day that is impressed most in my mind. I met members of the community as well as some of the people in charge of the program. It became surreal that I was living my dream of living and studying in England. That night my host took me to a pantomime. I was expecting it to be a play about Christmas, since pantomimes are performed at Christmastime in the UK. But I was mistaken, as I actually spent the following two hours laughing until I cried at a creative rendition of Aladdin. That first day made me realize how wonderful English culture is.

What are your future plans for going abroad and for your career? 

At the moment I have no future plans set for going abroad as I am finishing my degree and looking for a job. I will certainly go back to England either for conferences or workshops in order to progress in my career. I want to be an author as well as work in publishing and going abroad would really help my career. I learned a lot about different cultures which influences my writing as well as broadens my appreciation for the type of work other countries do.

Advice from MyWorldAbroad
Jean-Marc Hachey, Publisher, MyWorldAbroad

Ashlee’s story highlights an ideal first trip abroad for a young student who is curious about the world, but still wants some of the structure and comforts of home. As an aspiring author, we definitely recommend traveling abroad again, and expanding your cross-cultural learning even more. Every experience in a new culture, whether interning, volunteering or working, will enrich your life, career and writing. Consider heading to Eastern Europe or Asia as a way of dramatically expanding your cultural horizons. The world is waiting!

Ashlee's Next Steps
Advice from MyWorldAbroad
by the founder of MyWorldAbroad
Jean-Marc Hachey
Want to Have the Same Experience?
15333
- # of # Filtered -
  • 102
102
10923
Insight And Education In Korea
1
16392
Building International Career Skills Online
2
16320
Independent, International, Virtual! A UN Internship Online
3
16382
Making the Most of Lockdown with a Virtual Internship
4
16312
Virtual Internship for a Cross-cultural Future
5
16157
Zoom Zoom! A Virtual Internship with Central America
6
9775
A Year Of Feeling French
7
10153
China, South Africa And Beyond!
8
9776
Soaking Up Japanese Culture
9
9764
Do It Yourself! A Proactive Intern in Rome
10
15631
An International Career in the Making: Asia, Africa and Beyond
11
15405
From Daydream to Reality: Teaching Abroad
12
15401
From Korea to Oman: Teaching English Around the World!
13
9761
Communicating Creatively In Spain
14
9773
Independent In India
15
9791
Making Contacts Count In The UK
16
9740
Sports, Study And Fun In France
17
9743
Hooked On Volunteering!
18
16316
Exploring the Sights, Sounds & Tastes of Mexico City
19
16387
An Epic Internship in Malaysia
20
9756
Springtime In Spain
21
9763
A Professional Visit To Vietnam
22
9780
A Year In Marvelous Mexico!
23
9751
A Canadian Globe-Trotter Visits The US
24
9768
Going Solo In Spain!
25
10188
Now Or Never In Colombia
26
9792
Rolling With The Punches In Seoul
27
9745
An Unforgettable Adventure In Nanjing
28
9774
Gaga For Ghana!
29
9783
Off The Beaten Path In Africa
30
9755
People, Places And Passionate Volunteering In Peru
31
9778
Study And Adventure In New Zealand
32
9777
Into The Wild In Alaska
33
9754
Building Memories In India
34
9750
Host Hospitality In Morocco
35
9747
Fun And Friends In The Netherlands
36
9748
Adventure In The Alps
37
9786
Kids And Culture In Korea
38
9772
Learning To Go With The Flow In France
39
9762
American Freshman In London
40
9771
Learning To Love London
41
9742
Take-Charge Travel: Germany And Beyond!
42
9746
A Cross-Cultural Co-Op In West Africa
43
9760
Getting In Sync In Nairobi
44
9759
From Cold Feet To Confidence In Germany
45
9779
One Summer, Two Internships!
46
9785
Motivated In Madagascar
47
9741
Adapting to Work In Peru
48
9784
Skill-building in Bonn
49
9753
A Season in Sweden
50
9765
Simpatico in Florence
51
9782
Making The Most Of Milano
52
9737
Passionate About Panama
53
9766
Short-Term Trips For Long-Term Gain
54
9781
A Hospital Helper In Costa Rica
55
9789
Loving Life In Lyon
56
9790
Design And Dining In Korea
57
9770
Contributing To Change In Ghana
58
9757
Teaching And Learning In Tanzania
59
9738
Living For The Moment In Valencia
60
9767
Beyond The Call Of Duty In Africa
61
16174
An Empowering Virtual Internship in Nicaragua
62
9744
Food, Fun And Festivals In Germany
63
16161
A Bright & Friendly Cross-cultural Workspace
64
16017
A Globally-minded Visit to Qatar
65
10204
Across Europe In A Caravan!
66
9758
Learning The Local Ways Of Addis Ababa
67
11645
A Love Affair with Shanghai
68
11996
Daring to Go Solo in Ireland
69
12058
Architectural Adventures in Australia
70
11845
Hospitality and Hosting in the DCR
71
15333
A Literary Education in the UK
72
14088
An Eye-opening Experience Teaching in South Korea
73
14483
Finding Home, By Teaching Abroad
74
14594
Growing Abroad: Hong Kong & South Korea
75
15347
12 Months, 12 Countries!
76
15383
Hustle and Bustle in Vietnam
77
15327
An Open Mind & Open Arms in Spain
78
15387
Bliss on a Budget in Brazil
79
15644
Discovering the World on Campus: International Skills at Home
80
11467
Stepping Outside the Box in Sweden!
81
9752
Giving In Guatemala
82
9769
Getting Sporty In Switzerland!
83
9788
Business And Pleasure In Australia
84
9787
A Spring Semester in London
85
9807
Fast Friendship in Korea
86
11557
Un stage au Cambodge (Français)
87
10230
Getting Caffeinated In Bolivia
88
11468
Learning While Teaching in Beijing
89
10145
Real Stories And Real People In Mexico
90
9803
Ten Years Teaching In Seoul
91
10851
Tips From Tasmania
92
9799
Getting Settled In Seoul
93
10258
Encountering Cultures Across Europe
94
10218
Adaptation And Appreciation In Japan
95
9812
Caring And Career Skills In Belize
96
10157
Changing Course In China
97
11850
The Warmest Welcome in Guatemala
98
11904
Enthusiasm, Education and Experience in Greece
99
10163
English Teaching In Eastern Europe
100
10192
Out And About In Paris
101
10143
A Warm Welcome In Mexico
102
15333
All Job Boards
446
All NGOs
1398
Au Pair Resources
37
Awards & Grants Resources
64
Business Directories
20
Canadian Federal, Provincial & Territorial Government Profiles
60
Canadian Government Resources
30
Children And Families Abroad
5
Consulting, Economics & Finance Job Boards
60
Cross-cultural Skills
111
Engineering Job Boards
62
Engineering Resources
82
Expatriate Networking Sites
31
Foreign Students Working in the US
9
Freelancing Abroad
33
General Job Search Books
11
Global Education & Social Action
61
Health & Medicine Job Boards
50
Health Career Resources
68
International Associations with Clubs on Campus
42
International Development Career Resources
86
International Internship Organizations
312
International Internships & Student Programs with Canadian Governments
35
International Internships with the US Government
38
International Job-hunting Resources
15
International Law Careers Resources
113
International Law Job Boards
28
International Studies in the US & Canada
13
International Trade Resources
25
International Volunteer Organizations
476
Internship Directories & Advice
53
Internships with the UN & Other IGOs
160
Language Careers
29
Learn a Language
112
Licensed Teacher Abroad Job Boards
35
Licensed Teacher Abroad Resources
39
Loans for Studying Abroad
18
Low-cost Travel
71
NGO Directories
33
NGO Job Boards
49
Regional Job Boards
103
Relocating Abroad
9
Resources for International Students Studying in Canada
31
Resources for International Students Studying in the US
48
Stories From Abroad
102
Study Abroad Resources
198
Teach English Abroad Job Boards
97
Teach English Abroad Resources
75
Tools for Travelers
92
Top International Blogs & Podcasts
85
Travel Guides
101
Travel Health & Safety
53
UN & Other IGOs
271
UN & Other IGOs Job Boards
27
UN & Other IGOs Resources
74
US Government Profiles
76
US Government Resources
45
Virtual International Internship Organizations
88
Volunteer Job Boards & Advice
59
Working Holiday Resources
74