<p>Hello there,</p>
<p>I'm an Industrial engineering major here in Boston with a year to go before graduating and I'm interested in doing a summer study abroad in Europe. I plan to take 2 general electives ( 8 credits ) abroad from May-June to satisfy my requirements and wondering if you could advise which university would be good? I do not speak any European languages fluently although I did do three years of high school Spanish which probably does not count for much. I have been traveling since I was a kid but I've landed up skipping Europe so want to do it this time. I've been to London but that's about it.. I'm keen on Germany but it seems the universities I looked at teach the courses in German..</p>
<p>I'm looking to explore the region and enjoy the culture as well as the nightlife.. Not going as much for a "rich academic" experience... I'd prefer to be close to a city..</p>
<p>I looked into CIEE in Spain.. Does anyone have any experience with that program? I'm vegetarian so was hoping to do the private residence rather than a homestay.. </p>
<p>Anyone been in the same boat and any advice?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I’m an aerospace engineering student and I just came back from a semester at the University of Manchester. It was AMAZING. The greatest experience of my life. Manchester is a student city with tons of international students. I met people from all over the world. Plus, flights to the continent are often RIDICULOUSLY cheap (I’ve flown to Florence for the equivalent of $7. Dublin for the equivalent of $15. I’m not even kidding you).</p>
<p>I stayed in a university flat, so I was able to make my own food etc. You can take trips to other parts of England, Scotland, Wales etc. Academics certainly weren’t my focus during my time there - I really had the greatest time ever. You should check if your school has an exchange program with the University of Manchester.</p>
<p>I’m curious – wouldn’t it have been better and cheaper for you just to go on vacation to Manchester and rent a place in a shared flat? It sounds like you had a nice vacation, why not make it official?</p>
<p>Because I was able to take classes and get credit for them, while still having an amazing time. And part of studying abroad means you get to meet other international students. The University of Manchester has an international society that organises trips around England with other students; I went on a couple of those with some friends.</p>
<p>My favourite part was meeting and become friends with people from all over the world. I went abroad to meet new people, see new places, experience new things. I got to travel with these international students and we plan on meeting up in different countries in the future. And I got to do all of this and take three classes that I need to graduate.</p>