{"id":4544,"date":"2018-03-14T11:58:11","date_gmt":"2018-03-14T09:58:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/?p=4544"},"modified":"2018-03-14T11:58:47","modified_gmt":"2018-03-14T09:58:47","slug":"caylynn-at-the-university-of-kent-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/2018\/03\/14\/caylynn-at-the-university-of-kent-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Caylynn at the University of Kent, UK"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pre-departure:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The pre-departure preparation is essential in order to ensure that your time abroad is well organised, and that you feel comfortable with your new adventure away from home.\u00a0 Personally, I did not have to go through the visa application, as I am on a European passport which could be used for my travels.\u00a0 However, in talking to other exchange students that were embarking on an abroad programme, I would suggest that you start the visa process soon after your acceptance, as it usually requires admin and time.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Within the pre-departure process, there are various aspects that worked well and were really helpful.\u00a0 Firstly, I started researching the partner institutions (and their modules) in the previous year prior to my exchange, as I found it to be time consuming and often required many emails to the partner departments to obtain more detailed module outlines.\u00a0 I kept all my information in one place (e.g.: a flip-file) as it tends to become quite a lot with all the different institutions.\u00a0 There is a lot of organisation that needs to be done before your departure, so I would advise that one kept a \u2018to do\u2019 list and systematically worked through it.\u00a0 The international office is really good at helping out and giving advice to outgoing students, so just pop in and talk to them.\u00a0 Make sure that your modules are all confirmed with the host institution, in terms of you being allowed to partake in them, before presenting these to your Stellenbosch lecturers.\u00a0 This will allow for a smooth process in ensuring that your modules are correctly signed off and will serve to be less stressful for you.\u00a0 One of my modules had to be changed at Kent, after I had left Stellenbosch, and it was a great challenge in terms of communicating with both my abroad and home department.\u00a0 So, perhaps my advice would be to have one or two back-up modules (that you could show your home lecturers) in case you need to change to something else whilst abroad.\u00a0 This may allow for easier communication, should something need to be changed regarding your academic curriculum.<\/p>\n

Before your departure, it is really nice to do some research on where you are going and what is in the surrounding area.\u00a0 It\u2019s good to orientate yourself on a map so that you know where you are in the country, as it may all be very different to home.\u00a0 Do research about the university as it will be an easier transition process if you understand what the campus will look like, and the general \u2018in\u2019s and out\u2019s\u2019 of student life abroad.\u00a0 On the abroad institutions website, you should be able to see what their societies are, and what they each offer.\u00a0 I would recommend you to go abroad with an attitude of wanting to get involved in all aspects of their student life.\u00a0 This will really allow you to make new friends and optimise your semester there \u2013 as it goes by so quickly.<\/p>\n

You must attend the pre-departure session in Stellenbosch as it will provide you with valuable information about what you can expect and useful tips.\u00a0 Moreover, you should find out when your orientation sessions at your abroad institution will be, and make every effort to attend those, as they are very useful.<\/p>\n

Experience at the host:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The academic programme at Kent was very different to Stellenbosch.\u00a0 The students usually belong to one school, and only study one specific subject (e.g.: only English).\u00a0 It is not an option for them to study multiple subjects, like I do in the BA faculty at Stellenbosch.\u00a0 Moreover, there are not as many physical lectures as the students receive more of their work online.\u00a0 Therefore, the students spend less time in lectures and more time in the library working independently.\u00a0 During my stay abroad, I joined the Psychology society.\u00a0 This was very interesting as a wide range of British Psychologists came in once a week and explained their specific profession.\u00a0 This was a great way to meet other students with the same passion for Psychology as I have.\u00a0 I also joined the gym, where I participated in many classes. \u00a0This was a great way to stay active and once again, to meet new people.<\/p>\n

The University also offered a wide range of activities specifically for the International students.\u00a0 I loved participating in these, as I was given the chance to make friends with people from all over the world.\u00a0 Some of these events included a typical \u2018British tea-party\u2019 where we got the chance to eat British cuisine and learn about Canterbury.\u00a0 The International Office organised an event to Leeds Castle which is deemed \u2018the loveliest castle in the world\u2019<\/em>.\u00a0 I really enjoyed exploring the rich British history that the castles had to offer in the country side.\u00a0 The University also organised a day trip to Bruges in Belgium.\u00a0 This was one of my highlights, whilst I was abroad, as I got to experience a different country (at Christmas time \u2013 which made it all the more special) with my friends.\u00a0 I was so lucky as my cousin stays in central London.\u00a0 At Kent, they have a week of no classes, that is merely dedicated to reading and essay writing.\u00a0 So, for this week I went to stay with my cousin and manged to work and explore London \u2013 which was amazing.\u00a0 I was very lucky to be in the UK during the festive season, and it was beautiful to see their little towns and villages decorated with the Christmas lights.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I stayed in the International housing on campus and really enjoyed learning about my house-mate\u2019s customs, and even getting to celebrate certain traditional events with them.\u00a0 We celebrated the \u2018Chinese New Year\u2019 and \u2018American Thanks-Giving\u2019 together.\u00a0 I really tried to explore as much as possible whilst abroad, and loved our little adventures on the weekends.\u00a0 It was so special to live with International students, as we all had an adventurous spirit, knowing that we were only there for a semester.<\/p>\n

My academic programme was very interesting as I got to experience many different faculties at Kent.\u00a0 I really loved all my subjects at Kent and learnt a lot whilst being guided by enthusiastic lecturers and seminar leaders from all over the world (one was even a South African).\u00a0 Some of my lecturers are leading experts in their given field of study \u2013 so it was inspiring listening to them teach about their own<\/em> work.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kent was different to Stellenbosch in that the campus is very international and thus more diverse.\u00a0 There are lectures and students form all over the world \u2013 which makes lectures and seminars very interesting as various perspectives can be shared.\u00a0 My class mates loved hearing about South Africa (and especially our diversity).\u00a0 My class mates would be \u2018shocked\u2019 when I told them about how many languages are spoken in South Africa.\u00a0 The campus is much bigger at Kent, and many students live off campus, as it is very easy to catch the \u2018Uni Buses\u2019 onto main campus.\u00a0 This was very different for me, as most students at home live on the campus due to there being limited transport and parking.<\/p>\n

Return to Stellenbosch:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

My time abroad was really special and I fell in love with England.\u00a0 South Africa is very different to England and is thus quite hard to compare.\u00a0 In the UK, I loved how independent students can be, as it is safe to walk around freely.\u00a0 Moreover, the public transport system was really helpful and I loved being able to jump onto a bus or train to get to the next village or town.\u00a0 In the UK the students really receive many perks that we do not have in South Africa \u2013 such as discounts at most shops, reduced public transport costs, and events organised by the university targeted at the \u2018student budget\u2019 \u2013 such as the day trip to Bruges.\u00a0 I really came to appreciate the living space that we have in South Africa, as the British people live in very cramped surroundings.\u00a0 As South African\u2019s, we often complain about the political climate in our country.\u00a0 As a young person, I often found myself becoming bogged down by this.\u00a0 However, I learnt that the clich\u00e9d saying \u2018the grass is not always greener on the other side\u2019 to be very true.\u00a0 In the UK their political system is heated with all the \u2018Brexit\u2019 debates and uncertainty.\u00a0 I also came to appreciate the diversity that South Africa boasts in terms of our range of cultures, languages, and landscapes.\u00a0 This is not as apparent in the UK, and I found that it was something unique to South Africa that we often take for granted.<\/p>\n

I would absolutely love to study abroad again, should the opportunity arise.\u00a0 I think that it was such a valuable experience for me as I learnt so much.\u00a0 I loved immersing myself in a culture that was different from my own.\u00a0 The friendships that I made, will be treasured forever as I really enjoyed networking with people from all over the world.\u00a0 Hopefully, we can all meet up again one day\u2026\u00a0\u00a0 Due to such a happy experience, my plan is to try do my postgraduate studies overseas.\u00a0 I was exposed to so many opportunities that the students receive abroad, and I would love to be apart of these one day.<\/p>\n

I would really like to encourage all students that may be \u2018sitting on the fence\u2019 about an exchange programme, to really use the opportunity that the International Office provides us with.\u00a0 I promise you, it will really be one of the best things you can do in terms of exposing yourself to a different culture, and new ways of thinking in a different country.<\/p>\n

I found this quote that I feel perfectly summed up my time abroad: \u201cFill your life with adventures, not things.\u00a0 Have stories to tell not stuff to show<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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