<p>hmomstef: I did see Staffords for UK degree programs for both grad and undergrad. They might have only started this in 2006.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, there does seem to be some ambiguity.</p>
<p>MSUDad, I'm a Britist student studying in the UK, so I could at least give you my perspective on the whole 'British-American relations' thing. </p>
<p>Basically, here, like anywhere else, you get people who are prejudiced against Americans, people who are prejudiced for Americans, and people who don't care either way. Some of the prejudice against Americans here is based on stereotypes and some is due to the war in Iraq and poor perception Europeans largely have of George W Bush. </p>
<p>As for tutors/professors in a professional context, I've never seen them treat American students with any less respect and courtesy than they have the rest of us. Anything other than this would be (and rightly) grounds for dismissal.</p>
<p>I think the thing you need to remember is that although Americans and the British speak the same language, the culture is very very different, and people underestimate the dissimilarities. I've met some Americans here at university who have accepted the differences, adapted and made friends, and some who have surrounded themselves with Americans and generally tried to have as little to do with the rest of us as possible.</p>
<p>MSUDad -- if you have a link or find out something about money to study in the UK, could you post it or PM it? My son would like to consider applying to Oxbridge -- but with no funding, it would be out of the question for our family.</p>
<p>My understanding is that UK schools are not test intensive like the US schools. They have one big test at the end of 3 year. Is this correct understanding?</p>
<p>^^^ Sort of, yes. Most universities will have exams every year, which you have to pass to remain in the university. These exams may or may not count towards your final degree classification however, depending on your university and course. (E.g. at my university, the first and second year exams do count towards the final classification for people studying Chemistry, but not for people studying History.)</p>
<p>But essentially yes, the really important exams are the ones you take at the end of the course. They tend to be more heavily weighted than earlier exams.</p>
<p>S1 attended University of Cambridge a couple of years ago for a one-year Master's program. He loved it and made lots of good friends, English, and from all around the world. He joined the college's rowing club, which not only provided a lot of bonding with fellow crew members, but involved a lot of parties!! Two things to think about: first, the actual college, not just the university makes a big difference. The residential colleges all have their own history, culture, traditions, etc. Some are more social than others and have more students from abroad. The colleges seem to host more planned social events, such as dinners with masters, etc. than is the case in the US. When I visited, I attended a wine tasting hosted by the Graduate Master, sampling wines from the college's own cellars. Second, we found that the sinking dollar made the year more expensive than we had originally anticipated. We had to supplement funds a couple of times--the billing system was different, we paid by term (Michaelmas, Lent, etc), and S also had to have cash for food, personal items, etc. So keep your eye on the exchange rate. All in all, my S had the experience of a lifetime, and if your D is that focused on studying in the UK, she might be a student that would thrive there.</p>
<p>The exchange program such as EAP for UC is the cheapest option because the weak dollar is the problem. But on the other hand, you only have 3 years to pay.</p>
<p>Americans are very unpopular at the moment. Watch the film 'The Spanish Apartment' for a good take on EU sentiments. There is the assumption that all Americans voted for George Bush--who is positively reviled overseas. It feels like a slight sin to have his accent. The reaction is that visceral.</p>
<p>One to one--there is no issue if the student can get on with the British culture.</p>
<p>If your daughter has a wicked and self-depracating sense of humour and she doesn't mind the occasional wind-up, she'll be fine.</p>
<p>If she's an overly earnest type, the British wind-ups could be stressful.</p>
<p>My guys love/loved the British sense of humour. They prefer it, actually.</p>
<p>Here's a link regarding Federal loans for US students getting degrees abroad:</p>
<p>Another question: do the British unis only have two 10-week terms, or is it three?</p>
<p>As far as the British sense of humor/manners/etc., I think my D is pretty locked into those.</p>
<p>As far as the President goes, my D's father is a Democratic political appointee, which she explains at every opportunity ;-)</p>
<p>and about bush being "reviled overseas," I'm sure what he did to the Queen the other night didn't help. ugh. It's so appalling, I can't imagine what the British must be thinking.</p>
<p>haha, in addition to loving European history, architecture, and society, I have 2 very superficial reason's I'd love to study in Britain:
1) I love soccer; the game itself as well as the guys ;)
2) I have a major weakness for the accent.
hehe</p>
<p>I really want to study in Britain or Scotland, but the financial aid might be a problem for me. At the very least, I want to study abroad there.</p>
<p>EC's are not a problem in UK University, visit any of them during Freshers week and you'll know what I mean. You'll literally be bombarded by every single clubs in existence. Of course, there are some Unis, that don't have a good reputation for extra-curricular, like Royal Holloways. One of the girls, from the year above, did not get the right grades for the course she wanted, and so she had to go into clearance. She accepted a place at Holloways, when she never visited because she was so desperate. She's extremely disappointed with the institution. But on the other hand, when we had our talk, where she told us about her experiences, she was the only one who unfortunately had a bad well-experience. All the other girls went to loads of different universities all over the UK. For somewhere so small, compared to the US, you'll find a huge variety of places. I'm sure your child will find something that he/she'll like.</p>
<p>"Another question: do the British unis only have two 10-week terms, or is it three?"</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure nowhere in the UK has only two 10-week terms - I think my university probably has the fewest official 'term weeks', and we have 3 terms of 8 weeks. Some universities do work on the semester system, but I would be really suprised if each semester was only 10 weeks long.</p>
<p>Just to add to my last message - I've found the term dates for this year for Leeds University, which I know has the semester system. It states that:</p>
<p>"Semester 1 (Teaching<em>) begins Monday, 25 September 2006
25 Sept to (Teaching</em>) ends Friday, 8 December 2006
8 Dec Examinations 8 January – 19 January 2007 </p>
<p>Semester 2 (Teaching<em>) begins Monday, 22 January 2007
22 Jan to (Teaching</em>) ends Friday, 4 May 2007
11 May Examinations Period 14 May – 1 June 2007".</p>
<p>Please take a look at a new book discussed in the Daily Princetonian
"Book uncovers layers of anti-U.S. sentiment
by Eric Qui</p>
<p>Contrary to another poster above, I think if you're paying full international fees a US student will get into any UK university outside oxbridge very easily since they want your money. They need internationals to subsidise the rest. That's the way it works. It is very expensive!</p>
<p>It is very easy to apply using a single common application form at <a href="http://www.ucas.com%5B/url%5D">www.ucas.com</a></p>
<p>Oxford uni web-site has indepth information on US loans for UK study which is in part applicable to other universities as well. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/io/usloans.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/io/usloans.shtml</a></p>
<p>In the UK students are treated as more grown up and have to contrive their own entertainment. No EC activities are included in the fees or anything. Every university has many "societies" (and certainly an international student society that you should join) which the students form and run themselves. Most have small subscription charges. The topics range from religion to Harry Potter and you can join as many as you like. In the first week there is a "freshers fair" where each society has a stall which you can visit and sign up. Most people just sign up to about 20 different e-mail lists then later choose a few societies to focus on. Obviously the bigger the university, the more societies. UK employers like to see people have been involved in running societies and many people find internships and jobs through their societies. </p>
<p>There are some universities where the majority of the students live at home with their parents (like US "commuter schools") where I have heard people complain that if you live on campus/in halls (many UK schools don't have a campus as such and the university buildings are spread throughtout a city) there is not much to do at weekends because nearly everyone goes home.</p>
<p>I tend to find Americans fall in the two extremes of international students - those who integrate very well and those who only speak to Americans for 3 years. Generally speaking Americans often don't travel well and are often perceived negatively by Europeans in general. For example, I notice very often that American tourists in Oxford will YELL at people when asking directions etc etc. So embarrassing! They don't realise how annoying and rude people think they are. The US operates at about 100 decibels louder than the rest of the world. Also being overly friendly to complete strangers is considered being "fake" and people will avoid you. This is a very common thing to happen to Americans I think. </p>
<p>Yes it gets dark in England at 4pm in winter. That's hardly a secret. It's called lattitude. Anyone thinking of studying abroad needs to do their research. Despite global warming, Hawaii it ain't. In any country there are going to be things you do not like. You either put up with them or spend 3 years moaning that you hate everything that's not 100% identical to the US and have no friends (US visitors are renowned for complaining constantly about everything). You have to go into studying in the UK with the knowledge that it's going to be very different from home and you're going to have a different experience to being in the US. </p>
<p>I also want to add that in most cases, exam in the UK are marked anonymosly. ie you don't put your name on the paper, just your exam number. So unless the examiner goes through it looking for recognise an individuals handwriting/US spellings, I don't see how they can discriminate. The US school system (high school too) horrifies me in this aspect. One teacher who doesn't like you can just give you a low grade on a whim and there is no checking</p>
<p>I spent my Junior Year over 30 yrs. ago at the U. of Edinburgh. It was one of the best experiences of my life--academically, socially, culturally, aesthetically, "spritually".</p>
<p>But yes, there were some Eng Lit profs who were anti-American and openly insulting-- in a way they would not have been to any other nationalities. Also plenty of fantastic, intelligent, witty and friendly people, as well.</p>
<p>Edinburgh would be a great place for a student of Eng LIt and Drama--there's a vibrant theater-scene too and enough to do in musical activities.</p>
<p>However, you might want to think about what happens after graduation from university. If your D competes in the British academic market--she will have to be better than the Brits to get ahead. If she envisions an American academic career-- it might be wiser to go to an American university for the BA and do a year abroad in the UK. Edinburgh also has a number of one and two year Master's and Diploma programs that could be done after the BA before pursuing a Ph.D. in the USA.</p>
<p>Also, I believe British universities still have high stakes degree exams that determine the "quality" of your final degree--rather than purely continuous assessment for work done course by course.</p>
<p>Opportunites to explore new fields and interdisciplinary options are probably greater in the US.</p>
<p>great information -- and as long as the weather was mentioned, I have a question about keeping warm.</p>
<p>My son will be attending his last two years of high school in Wales and the school is in a 12th century castle on the Bristol Channel (sounds cool at first, but I understand it is damp and cold).</p>
<p>What is the best way for him to stay warm in the winter? He is used to the cold in colorado -- but the dampness and lack of sun he is not used to. He is thinking he will just wear long underwear all winter -- good long underwear, not the cheap stuff. Any other suggestions for clothing that would keep him dry and warm?</p>
<p>I appreciate the detail of the last three posts. </p>
<p>To address a few things: she is not a college student now, so she has no basis for comparison to what any other uni would do; this will be her only experience. She often has high-stakes tests now, and is a self-starter, so I see no issues there. She also has no desire to take Kiddie Chem and Baby Bio just to fulfill some US Gen Ed requirement (and I have no desire to pay for it); she wants to study in her major.</p>
<p>As far as costs go, if the dollar were not so weak, these schools would be a steal. As it is, they represent fair value to overseas students (although I understand that UK students think the overseas costs outrageous in comparison). </p>
<p>As far as anti-Americanism goes, the stories being told are no different than I could tell about a professor who didn't like me because he thought me a jock, or didn't like Suzy because she dropped her "g"s at the end of a word. One of the key learning experiences will be learning how to deal with such issues as anti-Americanism (many/most? Americans would be shocked - shocked! - that any European prefers his/her country to the US. Living abroad will teach her a bit of diplomacy in that regard)</p>
<p>I think that living in Europe - as a European lives - will give her a leg up on the competition in the new international economy that will more than mitigate any grading irregularities (also, Americans will have no ideas what those grades mean). Every American student I know who did a year abroad considered it the highlight of their academic lives: why not do the whole program abroad?</p>
<p>Remember also that making a living with an education in Eng Lit and Drama is not so easy: academia is competitive and depends on networking and theater is also notoriously difficult to support yourself with. Something to be said for courses in other areas available at American universities that would broaden the possible job skills.</p>
<p>Also "Dad", bear in mind that your D may form entangling alliances in the UK and become a lifelong expatriate!</p>
<p>On staying warm in Wales: yes, good long underwear and Rex Harrison -type cardigan sweaters. Lots of cups of tea!</p>
<p>he isn't much of a sweater person (although that may change) but he does have some good, technical wear fleece tops that would probably do the trick.</p>
<p>We will stock up on the long underwear for him!</p>