Student Testimonials for University of Bath Spa
Isabel Spartz
Age (while abroad): 21/22
Degree(s): Media Studies Communications and Spanish Minor
What was your prior language knowledge (if applicable)?: NA
Where did you go?: Bath, England
In what school did you study?: Bath Spa University
When did you go?: Spring semester, 2024
Have you studied abroad before?: No
Why did you do study abroad?: I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone, but also going abroad and traveling was something I had always wanted to do. This was the last chance I had before graduating to study abroad and I knew I would regret it if I did not try to go.
Would you do this again?: Yes! If I hadn鈥檛 graduated, I probably would have.
What was your favorite part?:
Meeting new people, 100%. My other exchange friends made the experience what it was. I am so thankful for that group of individuals. We all became close extremely fast and would do things and travel together, so it made the experience not feel lonely either. I also enjoyed everything about being in the UK. First, I loved my school. I was beautiful: the countryside with cows and sheep in the fields, a lake with a walking path, old buildings, a village nearby, and overall great classmates. The city of Bath was also beautiful, fun, and full of things to do. I liked that everything was in walking distance and easily accessible. Traveling around was also fairly simple as you don鈥檛 have to go very far to go see something. Stonehenge, Bristol, Cardiff, Oxford, and Brighton were all daytrips we did. For me, this was my first 鈥渞eal鈥� college experience living outside of home, so I enjoyed getting to live in a flat with others. I tried to embrace all of these culture changes fully, so overall, I think I had a great time and enjoyed almost everything.
What was your least favorite part?: Leaving 馃檨
And also the U5 bus. Having a beautiful school in the countryside also means you are 15 minutes outside of town, so sometimes it was a struggle to have to rely on the bus to take you to and from campus on time.
How has study abroad affected your life now?:
Well, my memories from England have certainly taken up a large portion of my brain, I think it will take me a long time to fully recover and process that part of my life. I have so many photos and experiences to look back on I also have 20 new exchange friends from all over the world. There are about 6 that I keep in contact with almost daily, but I still try to keep in touch frequently with everyone. We are planning a trip to Barcelona next year and have already thought about the different possibilities to see each other in the coming years.
What did you learn, outside of academics, from your study abroad experience?:
I learned a lot during my time abroad, especially about myself. I learned to take more time to slow down and appreciate things. I learned that I enjoy traveling, even though it can be stressful, the journey is almost always worth it. I don鈥檛 want to be stuck in one place and want to see as much as the world as I can. It also made me a better planner for it too.
What advice you would offer students interested in studying abroad?:
Everything people might tell you about studying abroad seems cliche, and it is, but also very true at the same time. You are going to change your life for the better and open yourself up to new opportunities and get to do things you never imagined you鈥檇 be doing. Being homesick is natural, but the best way to overcome it is to fully embrace the new culture you are in. Things are scary and unfamiliar, but that is also the beauty of being away; you get to experience something you never have for the first time, why not make the most out of it? Remember that you came here for a reason, to learn, to experience, to grow, etc. Plus, the time goes by quickly, and you鈥檒l be home in no time. Sure, don鈥檛 forget to call your mom, but also say yes to trying new things, you鈥檒l never know what鈥檚 out there for you if you don鈥檛 go. Try new foods, go out to a pub, make new friends, try that painting class that you keep eying, just do it now, don鈥檛 wait. Everyone is just as scared as you are. One thing me and my exchange friends all said is that we were so worried that no one would want to be our friend or that it would not go well, but we were so glad to have gotten to know each other and collectively get over that fear together. Don鈥檛 be afraid to introduce yourself to those around you. Chances are, they are looking for a friend as well. Don鈥檛 be afraid to go alone. Sometimes you must create that experience for yourself. Not everyone is going to want to or be available to do the things you want to do, so don鈥檛 let that hold you back. I regret some of the times where I stayed in my room instead of going to town just because I did not want to go alone. Once I got over that fear, I enjoyed my own company.