England: Victoria Peters

Program: University of Leeds Exchange, Spring

Victoria’s Major: English

What is your most memorable experience from your program?

In my accommodation, I was paired with seven other students from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the Czech Republic. In our first week together, we spent a day in York, which is a small city about 20 minutes from Leeds by train. This experience was great because York is very beautiful and historical, being the hub that represents the unique qualities and essence of northern England. For us, York also served as a great setting to truly get to know one another and view each other as friends and not just flatmates. We walked around the city, talked to the locals, had a fantastic English breakfast, and laughed and discussed the minutiae of our vastly different backgrounds. This was the kickoff to many adventures together over the course of the semester.

How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?

Overall, I found the curriculum style at the University of Leeds to be notably different than UW-Madison. While certain aspects were the same, such as the small group discussion style of weekly reading materials, there was a lot of flexibility throughout the semester that is not traditionally found in American courses. Most of the work is very independent, culminating in a final paper that is worth 100% of your grade. So, while the day-to-day work was minimal compared to UW, the grading was harsher, and the style of writing that was expected was notably more formal by comparison. It was frustrating at first to adapt to the MHRA referencing style (footnotes), but in the end, I truly enjoyed deviating from the MLA format and appreciated the benefits of footnotes. However, since the final paper is worth the entirety of your grade, it is important to plan early, discuss expectations with professors, and avoid any tiny mistakes so that you can alleviate as much stress as possible during finals.

What is your advice for someone considering your program?

Leeds is a great city to see England by train, so consider purchasing the student rail card as it will save you a lot of money if you like exploring. Many of my friends used Flixbus to get around, but I prefer the tranquility of rail transportation. One of my favorite things to do while I was there was to travel to London for a day and see one of the many shows at the West End—meaning the rail card was an absolute must-have for me to easily get to and from London. Additionally, the university provides ample opportunities for exchange students to feel connected through meet and greets, volunteer opportunities, trivia nights, etc., so take advantage of these events and get involved! Finally, whichever program you are considering, be aware of the current political, social, and economic climate of that program/country. Be sure to research the average costs of groceries, transportation, and other expenses each week so that you can budget accordingly. Research the local/national news of the area and verify if it is generally safe for you to stay for an extended period. This also applies to any kind of leisure travel you and your friends are considering during the university break periods. Safety is always the priority!

What is a custom, food or tradition from your host country that you are taking forward?

Tea! Tea is just as popular—if not more so—than coffee in England, but having grown up hardly drinking it, I was surprised at how quickly I grew to like this custom. While tea is prevalent in the US, the variety and sophistication of drinking it in England is far more extensive, and it’s not uncommon for natives to recommend tea first at shops and restaurants wherever you go in Leeds. I grew to like the peppermint and other herbal blends so much that for the first time in my life, tea was in my shopping cart when I came back home to Madison.