- Week Eight -
We have finally reached the middle of the semester! Our mid-term season is a lot different from back at home, so I thought it'd be a good time to talk about the types of assignments we have to complete throughout the semester and my reaction to the British lifestyle. ASSIGNMENTS If you're planning on taking business classes at the University of Roehampton, most (if not all) courses have two major assignments called the formative (mid-term) and summative (final). Your entire grade is based off your summative, which will usually be a 2000-3000 word paper on a specific topic relating to your course studies. The formative is typically due during Reading Week and will either be an outline or shortened version of your summative paper. Although it's not graded, it'll help you gather feedback from your TAs to make improvements for your final paper. While there are no graded assignments throughout the semester, it's important to be present and engaged in lectures/seminars because all the topics taught in class will need to be applied to your final paper. Here is a list of the types of formative/summative assessments I had for each class: Business Ethics and Responsible Management Formative: Outline of summative Summative: Apply ethical decision making to a case study (3,000 words) Entrepreneurial Development Formative: Pitch a lean start-up business idea (group presentation) Summative: Create a business report/development plan (3,000 words) Global and International Business Strategy Formative: Outline of summative Summative: Analyze an organization involved in an international strategic development (2,500 words) TIME MANAGEMENT Classes in England are structured very differently from Hawaii, where each class is split up into a lecture and seminar session. This gives students a lot more time for independent studying. As a result, I spend most of my weekdays preparing for classes so I have more free-time to explore Europe on the weekends. While it's easy to get caught up in all the fun of being abroad, it's especially important to time-manage and remember that your studies are also a vital part of the study abroad experience. Personally, I've struggled a bit with adjusting to the student lifestyle in England because there aren't consistent assignments to keep me accountable throughout the semester. As a result, I've been trying to manage my time more efficiently by working on parts of my summative papers in advance. This will help lessen the burden at the end of the semester when all papers are due. CULTURE SHOCK Aside from academics, I haven't had major culture shock since living in England. While there are some nuances in language and culture that are different, being open-minded and willing to try new things has really helped me adjust faster to this new lifestyle. Here are some tips I have to help combat culture shock:
Studying abroad is a continuous adventure of new and exciting experiences. Make the most of this opportunity by engaging with your classes and social surroundings!
0 Comments
- Week Seven - Located on the north of Amsterdam is an area called Waterland (Old Holland), known for its traditional fishing villages and farmlands. We purchased a €10 bus ticket from Go Dutch that gave us all-day transportation to each village. They also list recommended routes to take on their website. We decided to take the Small Town Harbours route and visit Edam, Volendam, Marken and Monnickendam. EDAM This village is known for their local speciality, Edam cheese. There are a few cheese shops in the area where you can sample various types of cheese. Being the most aesthetic of the four villages, we enjoyed walking around the small streets and admiring the sights of cute canals and fall foliage. VOLENDAM In close proximity to Edam is a Holland's best-known fishing village. Volendam is located right next to a boat harbor and is known for their seafood. Some of their most popular food items include kibbeling, herring and smoked eel. At the harbor, you can take an express boat to Marken for €8.50 one-way. MARKEN This small village used to be an island in the Markermeer. Now, it can be visited through ferry or bus/car. The village is filled with green wooden houses and a bunch of boats docked at the harbor. We grabbed some fresh orange juice at a local cafe before exploring the quaint streets. MONNICKENDAM Being another small fishing village, Monnickendam was our last stop before heading back to Amsterdam. Although most shops were closed when we went, it was nice to walk around the ancient Gothic-style architectures. If you ever visit Amsterdam, I would highly recommend taking a day trip to Old Holland to get a taste of cheese and traditions. You can read more about what to do in Amsterdam in my previous blog here.
- Week Seven - Amsterdam is the city of tulips, cheese, clogs and canals. Their efficient use of waterways was introduced during the Golden Age in order to create a way for merchants to easily transport goods. Known as the "Venice of the North", Amsterdam is a truly beautiful and picturesque city to visit next time you visit Europe! THE TRANSPORTATION We booked a flight flying out of Gatwick Airport with easyJet. Their check-in process is similar to Ryanair, where you can print out your boarding passes online and head directly to the departures gate. Once arriving in Amsterdam, there are a a variety of transportation cards you can purchase. We ended up getting the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket because our Airbnb was located out of the city and wasn't included in the regular Amsterdam Travel Ticket. This ticket allowed us to have unlimited transportation on the train, metro, tram and bus. You can also look at other transportation ticket options on the Amsterdam website here. THE ACCOMMODATION We decided to stay in an Airbnb in Halfweg, since it was a bit cheaper than renting a place in the city. Halfweg is only two train stops away from Amsterdam Centraal and our Airbnb was located around a 15-minute walk away from the station. The walk to and from the station was stunning, as it passed through expensive-looking boat houses and a beautiful bridge overlooking the canal. Although it was a bit inconvenient to wake up earlier to commute into the city, it was also nice to be away from the bustling metropolitan area and enjoy some peace and quiet at night. THE ITINERARY Amsterdam is an aesthetic city filled with quirky museums, cafes and a ton of cute countryside towns. Here are some fun things to do and places to see while in Amsterdam: 1. ALBERT CUYP MARKET This popular street market is named after Albert Cuyp, a painter from the 17th century. Over 300 stalls line the street, selling a variety of things ranging from food, souvenirs, clothes and unique trinkets. Here, we tried some Dutch cuisines like kibbeling (battered chunks of fish) and stroopwafels (wafer cookie with caramel filling). 2. VAN GOGH MUSEUM This museum is dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh. After Vincent's death, his brother Theo took on the aspiration of selling his artwork. Theo unfortunately died only 6 months after and all of Vincent's art collection had been passed down to Theo's wife, Johanna. With the ambition of giving exposure to his artwork, she and eventually her son, began selling and donating artwork to famous establishments. The Van Gogh Museum takes you on a tour through Vincent's life, where you can being to really appreciate his brilliance. Tickets are €19 and I would suggest booking online to ensure you have a spot reserved. 3. THE CATBOAT The Catboat is the only animal sanctuary in Amsterdam that floats on water. Open from 1pm - 3pm, you can visit for free and play with some of the adorable cats. If you find one you love, you can even adopt them! It can get quite busy, so you can either make a reservation online or get a time slot ticket in person. 4. JORDAAN Located near Amsterdam Centraal, the streets of Jordaan are filled with boutiques, pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops. You can take your time walking through this area and admire the canals and narrow alleyways. 5. CANAL CRUISE A canal cruise is the best way to tour Amsterdam and experience their waterways first-hand. There are a ton of cruises, be we decided to go with a company called Flagship Amsterdam. An hour canal ride cost €16 and had a pick-up point near the Anne Frank House. Our tour guide was very friendly and made the experience super fun and interactive. He talked about the history of Amsterdam and pointed out popular landmarks, along with fun-facts about them. In all, I would 100% recommend participating in a canal cruise during your stay! 6. DE HALLEN/FOODHALLEN Foodhallen is located inside De Hallen and is an indoor food market home to a wide variety of cultural cuisines. Ranging from Vietnamese food to authentic Dutch cuisines, you can definitely find something to satisfy your palate. I ended up eating spring rolls (possibly the best I've ever had) and Dutch croquettes called bitterballen. Along with exploring the city of Amsterdam, we also took a day trip to Old Holland. You can read more about my experiences in Edam, Volendam, Marken and Monnickendam here.
- Week Five - Our Social Programme has taken us on yet another day trip, this time to Bath and Stonehenge! Starting our day off early, we hopped on a coach and headed west toward Bath. There, we explored the Roman Baths, drank some healing water and grabbed a light lunch. The ride from Bath to Stonehenge took around 1.5 hours, passing views of vast farmland fields. Stonehenge greeted us with slight rain, but also stunning views of the prehistoric stone monument. ROMAN BATHS This Roman site was constructed in 70AD and was used for public bathing. Walking through the museum, you can see a ton of artifacts and historical objects from the Roman period. Although you can't actually immerse yourself in the water, you can drink some "healing water" at the end of the tour. BATH ABBEY This landmark is a parish church of the Church of England and is located right next to Roman Baths. The architecture is stunning and the church itself is filled with a lot of history. Although we didn't go inside, the abbey was a marvel to look at and admire. THE FOOD Right outside of Bath Abbey and Roman Baths are a ton of stores, food stands and street performers to enjoy. We spent our free-time time walking around the square, listening to some music, and eating yummy food. STONEHENGE These prehistoric stones are located in Wiltshire, England and showcase a ring of standing stones. Archaeologists believe it was built from 3000BC to 2000BC, during the Neolithic period and Bronze Age. It is one of the most iconic and perplexing archaeological sites in the world. Our visit to Bath and Stonehenge was mesmerizing and really taught us a lot about the historical aspects of England. The monuments were truly something special, a must-see while in the UK.
- Week Three - As a part of our Social Programme, all the Hawaii students had the experience to take a boat cruise to Greenwich. Starting at Westminster Pier, we headed east toward Greenwich Pier while listening to tales of London's maritime past along the way. When we finally arrived at Greenwich, we got to enjoy a walking tour of the Royal Naval Hospital and College, visit the Royal Observatory and wander around the vintage stalls at Greenwich Market. OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE The Old Royal Naval College is an 18th-century landmark from Maritime Greenwich. Interestingly, this college was also one of the filming location for the popular film, Les Miserables! ROYAL OBSERVATORY This observatory is located on a hill in Greenwich Park, overlooking the River Thames. It is also the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and contains the Prime Meridian, a line where east meets west. As cool as it was to be able to stand in the middle of east and west, it was a bit sad to see "Honolulu" spelled incorrectly. GREENWICH MARKET Open seven days a week, this market showcases a variety of street food, antiques, fashion and boutique stores. We had a wonderful time browsing the stalls and eating delicious foods from all over the world! Although a bit short, our time in Greenwich was truly a fun and memorable one! It was interesting to hear more about London's maritime history, while walking around classical architectures on the banks of the River Thames. I would highly suggest visiting Greenwich sometime during your stay in London!
- Week Two - During our time in Dublin, we booked a tour with Galway Tour Company to view one the most stunning landmarks of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher. Leaving early in the morning, the bus ride from Dublin to Galway took around 2.5 hours. Starting the tour at Galway Coach Station, we got to explore numerous ancient monuments and appreciate the beautiful country-side landscape. Here are some of my favorite stops during the tour: 1. DUNGUAIRE CASTLE This castle is a 16th-century tower house located on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay. Surrounded by water and greenery, this may be the most picturesque castle in all of Ireland! 2. CLIFFS OF MOHER Located in the Burren region, the Cliffs of Moher have become one of the most visited sights in all of Ireland. The sea cliffs run around 14 kilometers long and give spectacular views of the ocean. This landmark is so magical that it was even featured in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! 3. POULNABRONE DOLMEN Located on one of the highest points in the Burren region, this portal tomb dates back to the Neolithic period between 4200BC to 2900BC. When this site was excavated in the 1980s, around 33 human remains were found buried underneath. Now, it serves as a popular tourist attraction for those who want a glimpse of this ancient artifact. 4. CAHERMORE RINGFORT Also known as Ballyallaban stone fort, this landmark lies between Ballyvaughan village and Leamaneh Castle. Once walking toward the edge of the fort, you can see spectacular views of the vast, long fields that surround the region. 5. QUAY STREET Ending our tour back at Galway Coach Station, we decided to eat dinner at a small Italian restaurant on Quay Street. This street is a bustling area filled with pubs, restaurants, cafes and boutiques. After dinner, we grabbed some ice cream before heading back to Dublin. In all, our trip to Ireland was definitely one for the books. With only two full days of traveling, we felt that we really made the most of our short stay in Dublin and Galway!
- Week Two - With only a week left before school starts, Kelly and I decided to book a (very) last-minute trip to Dublin, Ireland for three nights. Our spontaneous getaway gifted us with stunning city architectures, an adorable fishing village and a beautiful quaint countryside. THE FLIGHT Being college students, our goal for this trip was to find a cheap (but safe) flight. There are a few budget airlines that operate in Europe, with the most popular being easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 to name a few. We decided to book with Ryanair because they offered the cheapest tickets flying out of Gatwick Airport. Something to keep in mind for Ryanair: it is required to check-in online and print out your boarding pass prior to arriving to the airport, or access it through your mobile device. If you do not check-in beforehand, Ryanair will charge you a check-in fee of £55. In addition, be mindful of the bag policies since budget airlines tend to have smaller cabin bag allowances. The flight itself only took around 2.5 hours, so the compact seats and mediocre service did not really bother us. **Remember to purchase a Leap Card at the airport to use for transportation across Ireland (good for train, tram and bus). You can grab one at the convenience store in the airport before you leave. THE ACCOMMODATION Located around a 15 minutes walk away from Temple Bar, we decided to stay in a hostel called Generator. Dublin is one of many branches Generator has across various European countries. In particular, they pride themselves on creating an aesthetic, hip and social environment for travelers to enjoy. Although they have some private rooms, we unfortunately had to share a mixed dorm with four strangers due to our last-minute booking. Hostels are great for saving money, but also take out the comfort of having a private bathroom and independent living. If a dormitory-like accommodation is not your style, I would suggest booking an Airbnb or hotel in advance! **Tip: Exchange some euros prior to leaving Hawaii so you have some on hand for traveling around the rest of Europe THE ITINERARY Dublin is a bustling city filled with a ton of pubs, quirky boutiques and is home to one of the most famous beer companies, Guinness. Here are some fantastic places to visit while on a trip to Dublin: 1. TEMPLE BAR This busy area is located on the riverside and is crowded with pubs, restaurants and cafes. Being a popular tourist spot, you'll always find something to do at any time of day. We enjoyed a delicious scoop of ice cream at a shop called Cloud Nine. 2. ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL Founded in 1191, this cathedral is the tallest and largest church in Ireland. The entrance fee is €7.00 for students and €8.00 for adults. Enjoy views of the beautiful stained-glass windows, while learning more about artifacts used two centuries ago. 3. CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL Being a close walk from Temple Bar, this church is perfect to visit on your way t0 St. Patrick's Cathedral. The entrance fee is €5.50 for students and €7.00 for adults. Although we didn't go inside, the building architecture was truly something to admire. 4. DUBLIN CASTLE This castle is a major government complex and tourist attraction. The entrance fee is €10 for students and €12 for adults. Rather than going inside, we looked around the courtyard and explored City Hall across the street. 5. NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS This botanic garden is located north-west from city center and has free admission! Their plant collection holds over 15,000 plant species from around the world. Along with their amazing planted glasshouses, they also have features such as the rose garden, alpine yard, rock garden and arboretum to enjoy. 6. TRINITY COLLEGE Founded in 1592, this college holds a lot of history and extremely prevalent libraries. In particular, Trinity College is well-known for holding the Book of Kells, a rare manuscript containing the four Gospels of the New Testament. In order to tour the Hogwarts-like Old Library, you would need to pay an entrance fee of around €11 - 14. 7. HOWTH Howth is a small fishing village located east of central Dublin. It's a great escape from the busy city and only takes around 40 minutes via train. There, you can have some of the best seafood in Ireland (I'd recommend the seafood chowder). If you have more time to roam, Howth Pier has wonderful views of the coastline while Howth Cliff Walk will give you panoramic views of the village. While Dublin has a ton of fun things to do and see, we also took a day-trip to a rural city on the west coast called Galway. You can read more about our experiences in Galway here.
- Week One - During the weekend following our orientation, the University of Hawaii students decided to participate in the self-delegated Photo Frenzy challenge around central London. The ride to the center of the city took around an hour, with us struggling to navigate the public transportation system. These are the landmarks we had the opportunity to stop at: 1. BIG BEN The original name for Big Ben was the "Clock Tower". It is one of the most notable symbols of the United Kingdom and was mentioned in one of my favorite childhood movies: Mary Poppins. As we exited the station, we found ourselves looking at (the unfortunately under construction) Big Ben. Although we couldn't get to experience the true marvel of Big Ben, some of us were satisfied with just buying souvenirs at one of the nearby carts. 2. TOWER OF LONDON This beautiful castle is officially known as "Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London". It's a historic castle that is home to the Crown Jewels of England. The entrance fee to tour the inside of the castle was a bit out of our budget range, so we settled for taking a picture outside the castle grounds. 3. TRAFALGAR SQUARE This public square is a short walk away from Buckingham Palace and features four lion statues at the center. Its been a significant landmark since the 13th century and has been used for many community gatherings and political demonstrations. Being a beautiful and bright afternoon, a lot of people were relaxing on the stairs and taking pictures with the large lion statues. 4. CHINATOWN Although it wasn't a part of our photo frenzy challenge, we decided to make a trip to Chinatown since it's near Covent Garden and Leicester Square. Many of us missed the taste of asian cuisine, so we stopped by a Japanese restaurant for lunch and got some milk tea for dessert! 5. KENSINGTON PALACE This palace is located in Kensington Gardens and has been a residence to the Royal Family since the 17th century. Similar to the Tower of London, the entrance fee to tour around the State Room was quite expensive so we ended up just roaming around the gardens. 6. SHAFTESBURY MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN and COVENT GARDEN The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain is located near Piccadilly Circus and is (mistakenly) known for featuring Eros, the god of love, at the tip of the fountain. In comparison, Covent Garden is located in the West End of London and is an extremely popular shopping site. The two landmarks are surprisingly only a 10 minute walk from one another, making it really easy for us to explore both areas. 7. RED TELEPHONE BOX Although this was also not part of our photo challenge, can we really say we've been to London without having taken a photo with the iconic red telephone box? We all had a super fun experience adventuring around the city for the first time. Although it was a lot of walking, we made a ton of great memories and have (nearly) mastered the public transportation system!
It's been around one week since I have arrived in London, England and finally settled down in my new home for the next four months!
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Once you are accepted for studying abroad, you will receive instructions to register directly with the University of Roehampton as a study abroad student. Through this application process, you will be able to select your preferred modules (courses) to take. An offer letter will be disbursed in the following weeks, which you will need to show the immigration officer in order to get a short-term study visa. Approximately two weeks before you arrive in London, Roehampton will send a username and password which will allow you to log into the Student Portal and see a timetable of the modules you have been assigned. Don't worry if these courses need to be changed, since there will be a period for you to add or drop classes during orientation week. The overall process to register was fairly simple, with the most difficult part being understanding which classes transfer over as UH credits. Be sure to check the course equivalencies on the Study Abroad Center's website, along with verifying that the courses you want to take are actually offered at the University of Roehampton. If you need assistance with selecting classes or have any questions about credit transfers, I suggest to make an appointment with Rikki Mitsunaga (Shidler) or Vanessa Chong (Study Abroad) for guidance. HOUSING On-campus housing should be guaranteed for all University of Hawaii students. Your specific house will be assigned to you through email around two weeks before you arrive in London. Something to take note is that the University of Roehampton is split into four colleges - Digby Stuart, Southlands, Froebel, and Whitelands. Whichever housing you are placed in also determines the college you belong to. Digby Stuart and Southlands are closest to the library and the campus main entrance. Although the location is convenient, there is also more noise and traffic in these areas. Froebel is in a quieter block and closer to the Union Bar and Richmond Park. If you're taking business classes, however, be prepared to walk around 15 minutes to your classes since it will most likely be in Digby or Southlands. Whitelands is probably the college located farthest away as it separated from the rest of the University. I was placed in Froebel - Willow House, which has an ensuite (private) bathroom. You can request for an ensuite through the Study Abroad Center, as well as ask to live in a quieter block through the University of Roehampton emails. Although it's a bit of a walk from my classes, I enjoy living in Willow since it's in a quieter neighborhood and has cleaner facilities. You can view a campus map below (excludes Whitelands). VISA If you aren’t staying in the United Kingdom for more than six months, you do not need to apply for a Visa. Rather, you will need to show your Passport, immigration letter from the Study Abroad Center and offer letter from the University of Roehampton when arriving at immigration. For those who plan on working or extending their stay for over a semester, you will need to apply for a Tier 4 Student Visa that has a £348 fee. FLIGHT One of the most stressful parts about traveling is booking affordable flights. There are a range of resources you can use to find the best flights for the optimal cost. Online comparison websites such as Skyscanner, Expedia, Kayak or Orbitz are extremely useful in doing quick comparisons on different airlines and their corresponding price options. After taking the top 3-4 airlines (British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Finnair, etc.), you can do another price search on their websites. I personally like to book directly from the airline company instead of a third party website in order to ensure credibility and obtain frequent flyer miles. I ended up booking a roundtrip flight (9/10/19 - 1/6/20) through Virgin Atlantic for around $1,550. Note that the earlier you purchase your tickets, the better prices you are most likely to get. As I bought my tickets pretty late, you should definitely be able to find better prices than I did! Some personal tips:
CREDIT CARD / CURRENCY
I highly recommend opening a credit card that can be used for international travel prior to departing. The Points Guy is an amazing resource to use when choosing which card fits best with your particular lifestyle. I currently use a Chase Sapphire Preferred card, as I think it has great travel benefits, no foreign transaction fees and a pretty reasonable annual fee ($95). Another option is to use a Hawaiian Airlines card if you travel on Hawaiian Airlines or its affiliate airlines frequently. If you have little to no credit history and are having difficulties opening a card, I would suggest asking a parent or sibling to make you an authorized user for his/her credit card. Being an authorized user basically allows you to have someone else's card in your name. It can let you make purchases and help you build credit without being the owner of the card. Along with opening a credit card, it’s always important to exchange some cash to have on hand for emergencies. I recommend exchanging cash at DFS Galleria or International Marketplace in Waikiki, as they typically have the best exchange rates. UNIVERSITY LIFE Culture shock is a common phenomenon that happens to people when they're placed in an unfamiliar environment. A good way to prepare for culture shock is to do some research on life in Europe before you go. One of my favorite passing times is watching travel vloggers showcase the beautiful nuances of each country they visit. You not only get a better idea of the country's culture, but you also get to learn about their famous foods, landmarks and attractions. Here are some blog sites to read for travel inspiration:
Here are some travel vlog channels I enjoy watching:
In all, studying abroad is an exciting opportunity for you to expand your views on the world and pursue new adventures! Having a positive mindset and willingness to learn/socialize will allow you to make tons of memories and friendships that will last a lifetime! |
AKI'm truly grateful for this opportunity to study abroad and would like to share my experiences with all of you! Ranging from pre-departure tips to recommended travel destinations, I hope this blog will serve as a inspiration and reminder to always explore. Archives
December 2019
Categories
All
|