Studying Abroad This Summer

[New Frontiersman]

So, this summer I'm finally getting to study abroad, something I've been looking forward to since I started college. I'm heading to Brighton, England to study at the University of Sussex for about a month, after which point I'll probably end up staying in England for awhile just to visit.

So I was wondering if anybody on here, who's either from England or has studied abroad before might have some tips or advice for me? Or if you have any interesting experiences studying abroad you'd like to share I'd love to hear them too.

 

[Euryalus]

I'm studying abroad right now in Germany

It's great! ...except my roommate is worthless and can barely speak German so I end up doing most of the conversing with our host family. I'm not even that good yet. It's miserable XD

Other than that its great! ... No advice though :/

Don't be an asshole? Yeah I got nothing particularly useful that you probably don't already know.

 

[New Frontiersman]

I'm studying abroad right now in Germany

It's great! ...except my roommate is worthless and can barely speak German so I end up doing most of the conversing with our host family. I'm not even that good yet. It's miserable XD

Other than that its great! ... No advice though :/

Don't be an asshole? Yeah I got nothing particularly useful that you probably don't already know.

That sounds awesome! So what's Germany like?

Also, why would your roommate go to Germany though if he doesn't speak the language? I know that's why I picked England: I'm terrible at learning new languages so I wanted to go somewhere where the people spoke English. And where better than England right? At least conversing with your host family will help you get better at speaking German. So that's good.

Also, got it. Don't be an asshole. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[Tom_green_day]

Isn't the university in Brighton called the University of Brighton? I go there for a week every summer, and there are always loads of tourists, I hear it's one of the best in the country for people studying abroad. What are you studying there?
Oh if you like guitars visit the shop Gak. It's the best guitar shop I've ever been in. And the North Lanes are an amazing collection of little shops.
The pier is kind of tacky though, although they have these amazing cafes (can't remember the name, something to do with cows) that turn any chocolate bar/sweet in their collection into a milkshake. Heaven in a drink.

 

[Stasisesque]

Isn't the university in Brighton called the University of Brighton? I go there for a week every summer, and there are always loads of tourists, I hear it's one of the best in the country for people studying abroad. What are you studying there?

There are two, The University of Brighton and The University of Sussex. The medical school and some courses are shared, but they're two separate campuses. Brighton, I think, is an old polytechnic.

OP: You'll be very close to London, so really provided you have the means you can go anywhere you want in the UK quite easily. Brighton itself is a very trendy place, so you'll not be short of things to do.

 

[New Frontiersman]

Isn't the university in Brighton called the University of Brighton?

I'm pretty sure there's a University of Brighton too, but since Brighton is located within the county of Sussex, its named after Sussex.

Oh if you like guitars visit the shop Gak. It's the best guitar shop I've ever been in. And the North Lanes are an amazing collection of little shops.
The pier is kind of tacky though, although they have these amazing cafes (can't remember the name, something to do with cows) that turn any chocolate bar/sweet in their collection into a milkshake. Heaven in a drink.

I've never really tried the guitar before, but it certainly could be worth checking out at least. And that cafe sounds amazing. I'll definitely have to try that

You'll be very close to London, so really provided you have the means you can go anywhere you want in the UK quite easily. Brighton itself is a very trendy place, so you'll not be short of things to do.

That's good to hear, going to London is one of my top priorities. How could a person go to England and not visit London?

Thanks you guys! I'm really getting excited!

 

[Blindrooster]

I studied abroad twice, in London and in Austria. So long as you act cool and respectful you won't piss anybody off. Just don't be stupid. And dont be afraid to go anywhere. From my experience most people are friendly, helpful, and want to talk to you. Also, try and see as much as you can, sometimes the most fun can be had in small towns. I made a lot of friends at small town pubs, they love to talk.

Also I reccomend making a blog for yourself and your family. You think you'll never forget, but I go back through my pics and what I wrote and will often go "Holy crap, I forgot that happened!!" and its only been 4 years since I was in the UK.

Live it up, don't think about home too much, and explore.

 

[Da Orky Man]

I would highly recommend you brush up on British English. Though its highly unlikely any serious problems will happen, it'll help you avoid some really awkward situations.
For example to 'smoke a fag' means to have a cigarette, while to my understanding, in American English, it means to shoot a homosexual.
Also, 'fanny' means vagina, so a fanny pack... I really don't want to know what people will think it is.

And also, say sorry. All the time. No matter whose fault it is, say sorry. Just a quick one, but it really helps in everyday situations.

 

[Euryalus]

I'm studying abroad right now in Germany

It's great! ...except my roommate is worthless and can barely speak German so I end up doing most of the conversing with our host family. I'm not even that good yet. It's miserable XD

Other than that its great! ... No advice though :/

Don't be an asshole? Yeah I got nothing particularly useful that you probably don't already know.

That sounds awesome! So what's Germany like?

Also, why would your roommate go to Germany though if he doesn't speak the language? I know that's why I picked England: I'm terrible at learning new languages so I wanted to go somewhere where the people spoke English. And where better than England right? At least conversing with your host family will help you get better at speaking German. So that's good.

Also, got it. Don't be an asshole. I'll keep that in mind.

Its kind of like Michigan (where I live) in a way. The weather is similar, and I haven't seen a truly unfamiliar sight yet. The public transportation is better obviously.

Also, not to brag (psst I'm about to brag), but my host family owns a fucking water park!

https://www.stwgd.de/4997.php

As far as I can tell the people are friendly, I bet they're secretly judging me for being a dumb american though, and the bier is good.

And my friend does speak german, but he has only two semesters and the family keeps defaulting to my level.

He as helpful as not knowing anything XD

I guess I'm not much higher, but I can have a conversation and not just drown XD

 

[triggrhappy94]

I'm planning on studying abroad in Japan in two years (I'm ending my freshman year, I'd go during my junior year).
I'm learning Japanese, working on saving up, and finding scholarships now.

 

[New Frontiersman]

For example to 'smoke a fag' means to have a cigarette, while to my understanding, in American English, it means to shoot a homosexual.
Also, 'fanny' means vagina, so a fanny pack... I really don't want to know what people will think it is.

I actually knew about those two before, actually I remember there was a really funny bit in a web series I watch with an American and a British character discussing the differences in the meaning of the word "fanny" between regions.

Also, not to brag (psst I'm about to brag), but my host family owns a fucking water park!

And my friend does speak German, but he has only two semesters and the family keeps defaulting to my level.

He as helpful as not knowing anything XD

I guess I'm not much higher, but I can have a conversation and not just drown XD

Holy shit, your family owns a water park? That's awesome! ...I'm not entirely sure what it has to do with studying abroad, but it's still awesome.

Poor guy. I almost feel bad for him.

 

[sextus the crazy]

I studied in London for a semester it was pretty sweet. Can't think of anything brighten specific, but I know that everything is fucking expensive in London. Be frugal with your stipend if you have one. Also, food goes bad really quickly, but it's not filled with chemicals like US food is. It's actually pretty healthy for you. Also, Jaffa Cakes are the shit.