Some FAQ's

So as my departure date rapidly approaches (12 days!), I have been doing some research on the Advanced Studies in England website, acquainting myself with both the academics and the study trips, social and cultural interaction, and various day trips ASE provides.

First of all, let me bore you with some academic information.  I will be taking a full course load of 16 credits. My education programme is 8 credits, so my placement is 4 credits and the corresponding seminar on Education in England is 4.  The other two classes are history, one on the Tudors and the other on the Formation of England. There are approximately 13 students in each class, and seminars meet once a week for 2 hours. Many professors are either current or former Oxford University professors. My personal course related trips take me to the Montecute house and ancient ruins, dating back to the B.C era.

My house is called the Linley house and is located around the corner from both the River Avon and the study centre. It is an eight person house, all girls from my program.  Each house is fully equipped with wireless internet access, a telephone, TV, dvd and video, a washer, dryer, refrigerator, and oven.  The kitchens are supplied with all cooking needs and a microwave. We get an orientation to our house on the first night so we know how everything works (yes, British appliances function differently than American!) We also get to know both our house and our neighborhood. Since Bath is a city, there is a plethora of bars, clubs, and shopping areas around us.

Because Bath hosts more than 20,000 full-time students at its two universities, Bath is definitely a student city.  During our orientation week we are paired with "student helpers" who are either current or recent full time students in Bath.  These partners are there to encourage interaction in the city and help us find fun events to go to.  We are also provided with a local bus pass to the University of Bath, encouraging us to interact with students of that university and the university bars and cafes and sports center.

A photo of the University of Bath 

During Orientation week, we take a day trip to some of Southwest Britain's most beautiful sites, including Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Lacock Village, the site of a few scenes from Harry Potter.

Stonehenge 

Salisbury Cathedral 

Lacock Village 

There are other optional day trips, such as the Cotswolds, or the Tor and ancient ruins in Glastonbury and burial sites of King Arthur. Other trips include hikes along the coast and the ruined castles of Dorset, also called the Jurassic Coast. 

Sorry this was a lengthy post, but its interesting FAQs about my program that I thought I would share! 

Keep Calm and Follow the Moon