Study Abroad for International Student (From London)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I'm in my first year and I'm going to be studying abroad next September for a semester.</p>

<p>I can pick three places where I would like to study in Canada and America.</p>

<p>I've picked University of Alberta for one of my choices.</p>

<p>Can somebody advise me what university is the best for Philosophy and which university you would pick if you were given the opportunity from the list below?</p>

<p>CANADA Brock University</p>

<p>CANADA Dalhousie University</p>

<p>CANADA University of Alberta</p>

<p>CANADA University of Guelph</p>

<p>CANADA University of Ottawa</p>

<p>CANADA University of Victoria</p>

<p>CANADA University of Windsor</p>

<p>CANADA York University</p>

<p>U.S.A Ball State University</p>

<p>U.S.A Bowling Green State University</p>

<p>U.S.A Loyola University</p>

<p>U.S.A Minnesota State University</p>

<p>U.S.A Old Dominion University</p>

<p>U.S.A University of North Carolina at Greensboro</p>

<p>U.S.A University of North Carolina at Wilmington</p>

<p>U.S.A University of North Texas</p>

<p>U.S.A University of Southern Mississippi</p>

<p>U.S.A University of Texas San Antonio</p>

<p>U.S.A University of Utah</p>

<p>U.S.A Willamette University</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>Lawrence.</p>

2

<p>Hi- don’t know if this thread needs/will be posted in the Study Abroad or International Section. Anyhow.</p>

<p>None of the departments are international stand outs but they’re all still very good universities. I’d pick the one that’ll give you the North American college experience that you want- socially and environmentally as well as academic. But the US and Canadian folks will keep you right.</p>

3

<p>I’d pick UNC Wilmington : easy to get to lots of interesting places along the Eastern seaboard + beach weather all year round! Plus seeing US series where they’re shot and potentially being an extra in one + cool classes through the Honors Program - I hope you’ll consider taking classes other than just philosophy, you get 5-6 classes per semester so you should include American studies or American history or such, and one should allow you to discover something new, risk-free. marine Biology and the sealab are standouts.
Willamette would give you a great American experience, since it’s a residential liberal arts college. Plus, Oregon is a cool State to discover. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Which Loyola University (there are LOTS of them, they’re Catholic universities who follow the principles of Loyola)?
In Canada, I’d pick York and Ottawa wayyyyy before Alberta. You’re going to be there for ONE semester, choose a university where you’ll have access to more than philosophy. :)</p>

4

<p>I’d go for Loyola, because Jesuit education is PHENOMENAL for theory in the social sciences and philosophy in general. But, which Loyola do you mean? There are several. I assume Baltimore, but, I can’t be sure. </p>

<p>If it is Baltimore, you also would be picking a great location to visit notable places in the US for a Brit, like Boston, New York, and Washington, DC.</p>

5

<p>BossyMommy, OP is already getting a great education with 100% philosophy courses (no gen eds) at his university; if s/he’s coming to the US, it should be to actually participate in the culture.
I don’t disagree with your assessment of Jesuit universities for philosophy, but since OP isn’t coming for a degree, only to spend a semester, I don’t think that should be the primary factor.
I agree that MD’s Loyola would be very interesting though, well located, etc :)</p>

<p>Another factor that should matter to OP is having discussion-based seminars since many universities in the UK are often lecture based (outside of well-known universities with tutorials).</p>

<p>OP, check out the course catalog: you’d probably be allowed to take 300 and 400 level classes (or 200&300 if it’s the highest number, since colleges go 010, 100, 200, 300)
What classes are offered? How often (every semester, once a year, every other year?) What is the dept’s overall orientation? How do faculty interests mesh with yours? How large are the classes you’re interested in (this you can find via “course registration”)?
Three examples:
Willamette
[Philosophy:</a> Courses | Willamette University](<a href=“http://www.willamette.edu/cla/philosophy/info/courses/index.html]Philosophy:”>Philosophy Course Descriptions | Willamette University)
[WEB</a> SCHEDULE INFO](<a href=“Course Catalog - Willamette Student Self-Service”>Course Catalog - Willamette Student Self-Service)</p>

<p>UNC Wilmington
[Philosophy</a> and Religion: UNCW](<a href=“http://uncw.edu/par/]Philosophy”>Philosophy & Religion | UNCW)
[Upcoming</a> Courses: PAR: UNCW](<a href=“http://uncw.edu/par/academics/upcomingcourses.html]Upcoming”>Philosophy & Religion | UNCW)
[Major:</a> PAR: UNCW](<a href=“http://uncw.edu/par/academics/major.html]Major:”>Philosophy & Religion | UNCW)</p>

<p>Loyola Maryland
[Philosophy</a> Department \ Loyola University Maryland](<a href=“http://www.loyola.edu/academic/philosophy.aspx]Philosophy”>Page Not Found - Loyola University Maryland)
[Course</a> Offerings \ Philosophy Department \ Loyola University Maryland](<a href=“http://www.loyola.edu/academic/philosophy/curriculum/upcomingcoursedescriptions.aspx]Course”>Page Not Found - Loyola University Maryland)</p>

6

<p>Good points. I do still think that Loyola may be the most interesting opportunity there, with Wilamette a contender HUGELY. There really are no true LAC experiences in the UK system, going the the PACNW for an LAC would be a huge difference from a UK uni, which is kind of the point. </p>

<p>(I attended an East Coast LAC and my friends at UCL during my year abroad were stunned by the LAC experience. They really had no reference point for my regular college life. Big US universities won’t offer that kind of contrast.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the replies. You can study at the Loyola university in New Orleans.</p>

8

<p>Well, New Orleans would be an interesting city for a Brit to visit…but, where did you grow up in the UK and where do you attend University now? I personally think a year abroad should offer you a bit of contrast…not just in country, but in the type of institution. (Of course, I’m totally biased by my own experience, which I still remember fondly as a cornerstone of my adult life, lo these 25 years later…)</p>

9

<p>I grew up in Greenwich which is about 15-20 minutes away on the train from London, and I’m at Keele University which is pretty much in the middle of nowhere ahah.</p>

<p>Even though I like my university I miss being near/in London, so I’m probably going to be doing my Masters in London or in a large city in America or Canada.</p>

<p>So I would ideally like to study abroad somewhere which also was near or in one of the larger cities.</p>

10

<p>Well, Keele does have more of a separate campus than most UK unis, so the Willamette experience might not be THAT different. </p>

<p>Loyola, again, will be good for your field, and New Orleans is a great city…and the weather will actually be a big change for you. </p>

<p>Victoria would make you feel like you were back in Greenwich, so I don’t think it would give you a “different” enough experience. I’m not really familiar with the Canadian schools in general, but I know that my British friends who have visited have mentioned that the city of Victoria feels like a posh London suburb. </p>

<p>Most of the other US options are not near cities of major interest…Old Dominion is a good 4 hour drive from Washington, DC (but it is near the beach!) and most of the others are in places that will make you feel like Keele is in a metropolis.</p>

<p>I recommend looking at the Canadian schools mostly, York is in Toronto, I believe, so you’d get your large city there…Dalhousie is in a really beautiful and interesting area, so if you don’t mind a smaller city you might enjoy getting a taste for that part of North America.</p>

11

<p>I think that for one semester you should aim for the school 1° from which you can most easily travel to visit other places and 2° has many railway connections (you don’t want to try gGreyhound coaches when you’ve been on European trains, trust me :p)
That would probably mean most colleges along the Eastern Seaboard but since Loyola isn’t in Baltimore there aren’t too many.</p>

<p>Loyola New Orleans is an interesting place, not sure how easy it is to travel by train from there but you can certainly plan 1-2 trips by plane (Fall Break <- check if they have one; after finals) and new Orleans is a great city.</p>

<p>Willamette would be a “true” American college experience.
the UNC’s would probably be next (I prefer Wilmington due to location and selectivity, but ymmv) as well as ODU.</p>

<p>I’d pick the US over Canada if you want maximum “depaysement”.
I second York in Canada though, and would add Ottawa (easy to get to Québec and Toronto).</p>

12

<p>Thanks for the replies again.</p>

<p>Does anybody know much about University of Victoria and Dalhousie University? A Canadian who works at the same place as my mum recommended both of them as shes visited both the universities. Shes finding out more about them tomorrow but if anybody knows anything about them that would be great.</p>

13

<p>I know the regions but not the universities themselves. </p>

<p>Dalhousie, you’ll get a flavor of the Maritimes and New England. If you want an outdoorsy, appreciating Atlantic wilderness and antique-for-North-america culture? GO FOR IT. </p>

<p>Victoria? If you are totally homesick for Greenwich? YES. Victoria is like Greenwich/Windsor/Reading. Beautiful and charming and very much a replica of a nice British suburb. Keele is more exotic for you. </p>

<p>(Please note: if I got a faculty job offer from this group of universities? Dalhousie and Victoria would be my first choices. That’s for where I’d like to set up to live my adult life – But, for a study abroad programme, I do think the student should go further from his or her comfort zone.)</p>

14

<p>Does Dalhousie University or University of Victoria have a better reputation? Are they both good universities? It seems like University of Alberta has the best reputation out of all the universities on the list.</p>

<p>Also does anybody know what the students are like at Dalhousie University, University of Victoria and University of Alberta? Are they friendly etc?</p>

15

<p>Frankly after the big name Canadian Universities, the reputation of the rest is pretty similar, at least among the public. If you are interested though you can look at the MacLeans rankings, which are broken down into Comprehensive (undergrad), Medical/doctoral, law, ect. [Rankings</a> ? - Maclean’s On Campus](<a href=“http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/rankings/]Rankings”>http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/rankings/)</p>

<p>Of your list, I would agree that Alberta probably has the strongest reputation.</p>

<p>I would say Victoria is probably the most beautiful university on this list. That part of British Columbia is literally a temperate rainforest, with thousand year old redwoods, and all sorts of terrestrial and marine wildlife just outside the city, so if you like outdoorsy things that should appeal to you.</p>

<p>I don’t know a ton about Dalhousie, except that it is generally regarded as the best university in the Maritime provinces. I have been in Nova Scotia before and it definitely has a very maritime feel to it, with plenty of fishing, lobster catching and boating to be found, and there are also some very old, historic towns (by North American Standards) still built around their old colonial plans (see Lunenburg).</p>

16

<p>LTedeshi: you’re going to be taking, max, 12 hours of philosophy, and those won’t even count for what else you do as much as your UK university will. Choose based on how you can benefit in ways that differ from what you’d do at home: discovering another culture, regions of the country, taking classes outside your major (esp. Canadian Studies or American studies, no matter what your primary subject is, it’s just basic to have a less superficial understanding of where you are).</p>

<p>I wouldn’t pick U of Alberta. Imagine having never been to Europe and being in the Scottish Highlands with no way (except for long and difficult) to get out to visit other places. :s You’re not a native who’s going to spend 4 years earning a degree. Whether you attend a higher or lower ranked program will NOT matter to American or Canadian grad schools. They’ll want to see A’s, but that’s it.</p>

<p>If you’re interested in Canada mainly, I’d pick York (it’s in Toronto), Ottawa, and Victoria.
Dalhousie is nice in a “colonial North American way” so depending on what vibe you’re looking for, it could replace Ottawa (which is very urban).</p>

<p>Pick on quality of life and ability to travel. Go for the experience! :slight_smile: :)</p>

<p>Go to the “Canadian universities” and “UK” forums too for further opinions.</p>

<p>As for reputation, outside of UBC, U Toronto, and McGill, plus Waterloo specifically for CS, all other universities have similar reputations. Someone suggested McLean’s, but remember those are overall reputations. You wouldn’t go to Waterloo for Philosophy, no matter how highly ranked the university as a whole is ranked. And, really, as an exchange student, you should look for the most immersive experience (Willamette) or the most experiential.</p>