By:
Dallas Carter
Studying
abroad at Harlaxton can be an intimidating experience for everyone involved.
Parents are worried about their student’s safety and students are worried about
navigating a foreign country on their own. Luckily, universities back home
provide helpful study abroad resources. The University of Evansville even makes
Harlaxton students take mandatory bi-weekly information sessions the semester
before they attend. Even with these resources, not all your questions will get
answered. Many students face unexpected realities or challenges when arriving
and traveling abroad. To help, here are the top 10 things I wish I had known
before coming to Harlaxton.
1. British studies is not a typical college
class
British Studies is worth six credits and is broken up
into two parts: a lecture and a small-group seminar. The lectures are not what you’re
used to (they’re traditional British lectures). Professors don’t ask questions
or expect student interaction or even wait to make sure everyone has written
down what’s on each slide. Instead, the speaking Professor will spend the hour
giving a well-prepared lecture, with a small amount of accompanying slides, no
pauses, no breaks, or extra time for you to catch up.
While this sounds intimidating, it
can be easy to manage as long as you apply yourself, pay attention, and focus
on writing notes on the key points. The best way to do well in British studies
is to keep up with your readings so you can understand and participate in the
discussions during the seminar portion. Also, pay attention to the handbook—consider
it to be a British studies version of the Bible.
2.
Flights aren’t free
The study abroad class at UE
emphasizes the easiness of traveling once you arrive in England. Trains are
quick and cheap and flights are easy to book. The UE rumor mill even produces
stories about 5 pound flights to countries in continental Europe. However,
prices have typically been higher than any of us expected.
I took a walk
around the Manor one Sunday after we had first arrived and came across several
students on the phone with their parents. The topic of conversation: flights
were expensive. Granted they are much cheaper than flying inside the United
States, and fairly-good prices can be found by checking multiple sites,
departure times, and airlines. I suggest using an incognito tab when booking
trips so that you will see the best prices each time you search.
3.
Balancing travel and coursework is a delicate situation
While travel is a well-discussed
topic before leaving for Harlaxton, classes and homework are often forgotten.
When I arrived at the manor and we had our first British Studies lecture, I had
almost forgotten I was here to study. It is easy to get swept up in the magic
and excitement that comes with this experience. However, British studies alone
assigns readings, presentations, and a term paper throughout the semester. Add
on at least two other classes with homework and sometimes even field trips and
you can get overwhelmed. Luckily, it isn’t hard to find a balance between
weekend travel and homework.
I recommend blocking out set times
during the week to study or do class work. Also taking a weekend off from
travel to catch up on work isn’t a bad idea. Not only will you get homework
done, but you’ll also have time to organize plans for other trips, save some
money, and, of course, catch-up on Netflix. If you are worried about tipping
the scale too far towards your studies, take a break on a weekend with a
scheduled local culture trip. You will still have a day to travel without the
stress of planning a trip and you can even do your homework on the bus.
4.
Take a combination of school-sponsored and independent trips
Another trapeze balancing act at
Harlaxton is independent travel and school-sponsored trips. Some people have
had their favorite trips organized by the school, while others never took the
sponsored-travel option. While a lot of it is personal preference, both options
have strengths and weaknesses.
School trips relieve students of the
hassle of planning and booking their own travel and accommodation, but
independent travel allows for more freedom and a wider variety of destinations.
If you are extremely anxious about organizing your own trips, then take
advantage of the sponsored travel. However, if you are unsure or indifferent,
book two or three school trips and leave the rest of your schedule open. This
gives you the opportunity for planning trips to unexpected countries and with
new people you meet at the Manor. For the school trips, I recommend the London
trip at the beginning of the semester, which gives you time to explore and
settle in to life abroad, and the Italy trip at the end because it is nine days
long and the travel between three Italian cities is taken care of for you.
5.
England is cold, but not just outside
Winter in America is cold, but
nothing feels better than coming indoors, taking off your ten layers and being
warm. At Harlaxton however, you will always want layers. Although the
information session mentions the importance of layers and warm clothes, they
were always referencing trips and outdoor excursions. I was unprepared for the
cold temperature of the manor, in common rooms, classrooms, and the refractory
alike. Luckily, most of the dorm rooms aren’t freezing, but still pack for
warmth and comfort over fashion to survive in the Manor.
I suggest bringing thicker socks than
you would normally wear and warm lounge shoes like slippers with non-slip soles
or Ugg boots. Sweaters or long-sleeve shirts are another essential that will
keep you warm, but can also be dressed up for classes or travel. An item that I
wish I had packed to keep warm would be a soft travel blanket. It’s easy to buy
one in town, but if you can pack it ahead of time and you can use it on trips,
in airports, the common rooms, and at night.
6.
Be spontaneous
With all the planning, scheduling
and booking ahead that takes place at Harlaxton, you can begin to feel like you
are running from one thing to the next. It is important to leave open places in
your schedule for simply hanging out or something unexpected. Opening yourself
up to unplanned activities can lead to some of your best memories at Harlaxton.
One of the most important things
I’ve learned since being abroad is that you should be spontaneous every once in
a while. Yes, the study abroad pamphlet in your university's office says to be
prepared, but taking part in unexpected events gives you a nice break from the
clockwork of the rest of the semester.
I had planned a free weekend to
catch up on homework and sleep, but I was invited to Nottingham for a day trip
and I got to visit underground caves and a cat cafe I wouldn’t have seen
before. When I was in Edinburgh we had nothing to do one night and were going
to stay at our hostel for a few hours, but instead bought tickets to see a
Queen Tribute band at Edinburgh Playhouse. It is one of my favorite things I’ve
done so far!
If you want to start being spontaneous on a smaller
scale, I encourage you to go to the Bistro on a Wednesday, even if you have
class the next morning and had planned on going to bed early. Or even take part
in a surprise house competition or play in a Harlaxton Lion’s basketball game
on a night they request extra players. Don’t be afraid to say yes to things, as
they could lead to some of your favorite experiences at Harlaxton.
7.
Harlaxton isn’t always picture perfect
Smiling faces and candid laughter
with Harlaxton Manor as a backdrop. This image greeted me on the front of the
orientation folder for my Harlaxton session and it painted a picture of
perfection. Pair that with countless happy Facebook posts from my peers who
traveled before me and you get a dangerous concoction of unrealistic
expectations. Don’t get me wrong, Harlaxton is a whirlwind of excitement and
enjoyment, but you aren’t in a protective bubble.
Whether it’s homesickness, a bad
grade, or issues while traveling, you are still going to face everyday
struggles and life hardships while at Harlaxton. Many of my friends got colds
soon after arriving and had to attend their first trips with fevers and runny
noses. But just like at home, they got better and still managed to see the
silver lining—they are in England! As long as you can take the good with the
bad and remember life goes on, you will still get your picture perfect moments.
8.
Expect unexpected costs
The story of the overpriced taxi is
a true event that happened to me and a friend when arriving in Paris. On
another trip we ended up spending 20 pounds on a metro pass for the weekend.
While it was well worth the cost, we had not anticipated spending the extra
money. Don’t worry too much when you have to spend a little more than you
wanted because you won’t remember those few dollars when you reflect back, you’ll
remember the amazing memories they led to. However, do be prepared and always
bring a small emergency fund for every trip.
9.
Manage your free time
By now you are probably thinking you
will have zero free time in Harlaxton. That’s what I was expecting as well. But
during the week, there will be moments in between classes, free evenings and,
if you’re lucky, days were your schedule ends at 11 am with British Studies.
This abundance of free time is a blessing, but it can also be a curse.
Managing your free time is an
important part of planning at Harlaxton. If you aren’t careful you will spend
your open hours scrolling through Facebook or playing chess in the junior
common room. While these are both acceptable ways to unwind, doing them too
often can lead to problems. Make sure you use some of your free time to
organize yourself, do homework, and maybe even clean your room! Doing this can
take a lot of energy at the time, but you’ll be thankful for it when Monday
comes and you aren’t as stressed about upcoming due dates.
10.
Form your own opinions
No matter what I or anyone else
tells you, take it with a grain of salt. In the end, you know yourself the
best. You have your own time management tips and tricks, wardrobe preferences,
planning strategies, budget and opinion on travel options. I can give you a
play-by-play of my every moment at Harlaxton, but it won’t matter because you
will still have your own different and unique experience.
While listening to other people’s
advice and experiences can help to prepare you for the semester and ease your
worries, you have to eventually take the reins. Using your own past
experiences, expectations, and preferences, you should form your own opinion
about each aspect of Harlaxton. Because of this opinion you will sometimes have
to go at it alone. Maybe break away from the group to climb Arthur's Seat in
Scotland or go all out and plan a solo trip if no one else wants to visit your
dream destination.
No matter what else happens, this is your study abroad
experience and you have to take control of it for yourself. You and your own
attitude will make or break your semester. So take my advice, listen in the
info session, pack well, and then come to Harlaxton and experience it for
yourself. Only then will you be truly prepared for this life-changing semester.
