Modules, Modules, Modules

I'm to face the facts that you are here for partyi...-Academics! Right, right, academics. hehe, just kidding.  You remembered that, right? ;)

Here classes are referred to as Modules.  You can find the Undergraduate Module Catalogue HERE!!!

You want to make sure you either tick the box that says "Electives" or only search in the department under your home university.  Chances being what they are, you probably won't get into your modules.  Sorry, to burst your bubble.  However: if you figure out all of your modules BEFORE you come to Leeds your like will be easier.  WAY WAY easier.

Modules are registering are currently the bane of my existence.  I know what you're thinking: "But I've survived WebAdvisor, the most particular registering software on the planet.  I can handle anything!!" Well, the only thing worst that a crazy particular software a software that is not particular, at all.

The system that Leeds uses is through the Portal (equivalent to the Arch) and this thing will let you sign up for everything.  This includes modules that occur at the same time as other classes and modules that last the whole year when you'll only be at Leeds for a Semester. Awesome.

To help you avoid that here are a few tips, in addition to GET IT DONE BEFORE SEPTEMBER!

1. Have a list of classes you want to take

Go to the course catalogue, look at the classes, briefly skim & then write them down as well as how many credits they are worth.

2. Exams

Go back to each page and determine whether or not the module has an exam at the end of the semester.  If it does it will say at the bottom of the page under "Course Assessment."  If you are avoiding exams so you don't have to take them when you've already started your 2nd semester back at Juniata, cross the ones that have exams off the list.  This doesn't have to be a deal-break, but if it's a language course and/or it has an oral exam- cross it off now.

2. After you have a list go back to each module page and click "TimeTable"

Look at the timetable link and write the times down on the list as well.

3.  List them in priority

Go back over the list and give each one a number of what you'd like to take the most to what you'd wouldn't mind taking.

4.  Don't over email.

Start by emailing the department chairs (found here under "Academic Support").  Only email about 3 departments at a time to avoid enrolling in WAY too many classes.

If you follow these steps it should at least help you a bit, and keep you from being frazzled and entering classes a week late. Oh well as always Study Abroad's mantra is "Live & Learn"

Try as you might:

You will never pack everything you need.

This brings me to my first regret: bringing two suitcases.  I do not however regret bringing my own bedding, that was smart.  However, I should have packed 1 dressy dress, 1 sundress, a few T-shirts, a few pairs of jeans, and like 3 pairs of shoes.  Why did I bring WAY more than this?

"England is SOOOOO expensive!!!" they told me.  They, were wrong.  Although the pound(£) is worth much more than the US Dollar($), almost double actually, things in Leeds are very cheap.

Let me give you an example today we went to Primark (REMEMBER THIS NAME), which is a department store downtown, and my flatmate bought a bra & underwear set for £2.50.  £2.50!! That's approximately $3.89.  Where in the US can you find that?! Or I bought 7 pairs of socks (I forgot I was here during the winter) for £2.  This place even beats WalMart and there's no controversy about it. I saw cute dresses for £5, it's like forever 21, but WAY bigger and more variety.

Honestly, pack 1 suitcase- you'll thank me later.

Primark isn't the only place like this, but it is the biggest one you'll hear about. If I would have known this I would have saved the extra money I paid for the second bag & bought some stuff here.  In addition to this the entire time you are here you can NOT think of £1 as $2.  You will drive yourself insane and never buy anything you need to think. I have X-amount of £, what is a good budget.  You will figure out your own budget within the first week.

And in case you're bad at self-budgeting *shyly raises hand* they have a great office (Specifically for Internationals!) that will help you figure out a budget with you.  They are the "Money Assistants" and they can be found in the study abroad office.

In addition to clothes being cheap as far as produce goes the Leeds Market is the best, local (most organic) produce for impossible prices you would never see at home.  I came home with almost 4lbs (2Kg) worth of produce for £2.  You can also bargain with the little shop keepers as well. ;)

If you're not into the market scene or don't care if your produce is local you can also check out Morrison's.  It's a huge grocery store and my oh my is it cheap.  For an entire weeks worth of meals I've probably spent around £35 and that's including Wine to go with cheese.

I currently live in St. Marks Residences, they are supposed tearing it down in Feb. but to give you can idea of what laundry costs:

£3 for 1 wash cycle (yikes!)
£0.00 for tumble dry (yay!)

Basically, laundry is pretty compare to Juniata.

So if you are incredibly worried about how much (or how little, for that matter) money you have, don't sweat.  Leeds Uni. has people here to help.  When budgeting also remember your first week you will spend more money than you would any other week because you will need to buy pots, pans, soap, toilet paper, dish towels, etc. all that stuff your parents would normally have for you.

 My best recommendations:

1. Go in on cookware with flatmates (splitting the cost 5-6 ways = Super Cheap!)

2. You do NOT need more than 1 set of dishes (I have 1 mug, 1 bowl, 1 plate, 1 fork, 1 spoon, & 1 knife.  I have made tumbler glasses out of glass nutella jars)

3. Keep a running list (You will forget that thing you so desperately needed)

4. Go in on food with your flatmates (I mean is it really necessary to have more than 1 salt?)

5. Have a communal jar where every week every person in your flat puts in £1 so all of you are contributing to toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc.

6. Check Pound Stores FIRST! (In the St. John Centre & Merrion Centre downtown) Here are some of the names I remember of them: PoundLand (like DollarTree), Pound Stretcher, and UK Discounts.

You'll pick up on money saving things really quick, it's just like Juniata- all college students are poor, whether you live in Europe or not.

Let Us Begin At The Beginning

First, everyone was right- this is THE LONGEST DAY of my ENTIRE life.

At 9am I woke up, so I could complete packing my carry on and have plenty of time to see people before I left.  While the packing of my carry on went very smoothly, meeting up with people didn’t quite happen.  The hours in the day either flew by or felt like they were taking forever to pass. 

Some Guidelines for Packing:

Take clothes for colder weather while it was 85º when I got to the airport, it was 66º when I landed in London. 

You do not need every sentimental item ever- a few will be good enough

I took 1 of every category of shoe: sneaker, flat, high-heel, flip-flop, snow boots, rain boots, etc. That way I’m set, and I know I will probably use at least 1 pair of each anyway.

Buy a cheap bathroom scale and weigh your luggage, seriously this did wonders.  I found out I was a few pounds over and was able to adjust everything before getting to the airport.  An estimation is better than none.  (One of mine ended up being lighter than 50lbs & the other right at 50lbs).

MEASURE YOUR CARRY ON (can you tell by the fact it’s in all CAPS I didn’t do it?)

I went to drop my baggage the guy behind the counter suggested to see if my little carry on suitcase fit in the model, it didn’t.  But he let me check it for free! =) However, because I had to do this I didn’t have my books, ipod, or camera the entire flight. =( boo…

The flight went very smoothly from there on out, I even met a Brit who was doing business in DC and he lives right out side London.  He was a great plane buddy. =)

For dinner they had pasta or chicken curry, unfortunately by the time they got to me they only had curry. =/ It wasn’t bad I just don’t like curry.  It also came with salad, dinner roll, and a really delicious slice of Raspberry Cheesecake. nom, nom.

They had a pretty decent selection of entertainment including Movies, TV, & Radio.  I watch Something Borrowed (nice mellow chick-flick to zone out on) and then I tried to sleep….

Everyone, told me to sleep on the plane so that way my day wouldn’t feel so long, but guess what I can’t sleep on planes, ta-dah! I literally woke myself several times through the night it was ridiculous. I shouldn't complain too much however since I met some international students who took 18 hours worth of plane riding to get here. Yikes!! 

After I landed I spent about an hour in line going through customs...no fun.  The customs people aren't super nice, but they let you into the country so whatever.  Make sure to have all of your letters from both your home University and your UK University- they'll want to see them. 

Do not, I repeat DO NOT call anyone from the airport pay phone, it will cost you a fortune.  Your best bet is to wait until you find a place with free WiFi and call from Google Voice for 1¢/ min. 

In addition to this do not, DO NOT attempt to take the train if you have more than one piece of luggage. Trust me.  Elevators are not required in all London train stations - it will be bad.  I opted to take the Coach it was a 4 hour bus ride, but it was totally worth it.  Plus, you can sleep & see some of the beautiful countryside of England.  

Finally around 7:30pm I made it to Leeds I took a taxi for £6.00 to my University Accommodations.  I could have walked, but I was so tired it was worth the £6. To make everyone's life easier- pay your accommodation deposit online BEFORE you get to Leeds, why I didn't do this escapes me, but trust me it makes you & the site accommodation's people's lives easier. 

Around 8pm I was in my flat unpacking a bit.  I was welcomed with a wonderful little welcome care package with carmex lip balm, snacks, gum, and a campus map (YAY!).  I met one of my flatmates- who is from Australia.  She came with a few people from her home university to grab a bit to eat.  I wasn't very hungry so I just had some rice.  BAD IDEA. 

It is 8pm in Leeds, that means it's 3pm on the East Coast.  If you don't eat when you're supposed to you will wake up at 11pm (Leeds Time, 6pm EST) with hunger pains because your body thinks it's dinner time.  So, I had a little snack from my care box and luckily fell asleep somewhere around 2am (stupid jet lag).  

Highlights: 

Bus not Train

Weigh Luggage

Measure Carry On

Eat on Time 

Don't make call in Airport

Expect things to not go as planned

Sorry, I don't have any pictures from the first day- it's because my camera got stowed away! 

I'm a bad blogger...

It has been nearly THREE WEEKS since I last blogged,  I know- I 'm so bad!! And I have so much to tell you!!

First off:

I AM FINALLY IN LEEDS(as of Sept. 15th)!!!!!


By far, that's the biggest announcement/ change.  Since this blog is not only for my friends & family at home, but also guidance for those who will possibly study abroad at University of Leeds I will be breaking up my past week and few days into multiple blog posts. Please bare with me.

Tomorrow (monday...which I guess is technically today) will be my big blogging day.  I know I'm horrible with consistency. At least you have something to look forward too!

Can't wait to fill all of you in, but for now, some teaser pictures. ;)

(Steps of Parkinson's Building) 

(the classic picture of Leeds Uni.  Oldest Building on Campus) 

(Guinness!!) 

(Leeds Market, possibly the oldest functioning market of the UK) 

The Most Important Thing I've Learned

I leave for Leeds on Wednesday at 9:30pm. And I thought it was time to share with all of you the most important thing I've learned through this entire journey:

Everything will come together at the last possible second.

Maybe for some of you, this was never a worry.  For others you already knew.  For those few who were slightly sweating it like me: BREATHE.

Your friends know it will work out, the university knows it will work out, your family is totally calm, now it's your turn.

I have been so stressed & feeling all around anxious that finally I can relax.  I am getting ready to embark on one of the greatest adventures of my life- that's what I need to concentrate on.

OF COURSE, all the other stuff is important.  But in the end, that fact that you made it- that was you need to concentrate on.  The big picture.

Overpackeritis

As I sit here cleaning my room, I realize something: HOW AM I GOING TO TAKE ALL OF MY CLOTHES WITH ME!!

Well- I can't. The overpacker inside of me is screaming her precious little head off and there's honestly nothing that can be done about it. Since I have decided that I'm going to try and bring as much of my dorm stuff from home to Leeds (bedding, linens, etc.) I need to make sacrifices.  The only problem is I don't know where to start!!

Hopefully by the 14th (my liftoff day) I'll have it figured out.  Until then I am hoping that my friend Chelsea will have some insight on her blog to share. =)

I'll admit it...

I'm just two short weeks away from my arrival in Leeds and while, I feel incredibly unprepared. I don't really know what I'm doing and I feel like everything I told myself I would have done and figured out in June has not happened.  Well, time has almost officially ran out.  Although I am incredibly excited for my travels (and new chapter in my life) to begin, I am a tad-bit-maybe-alot nervous. I know once I get there the butterflies in my stomach will go away and I'll have the best time, but for right now I'm having pre-departure jitters.

Things I Wish I Would Have Known...

The point of this blog is to help future students who are going to study in Leeds to learn from my experiences.  It has been approx. 4 months since I was accepted in the Leeds program.  And within that 4 month period I have learned a lot that I wish I would have been told.  Here is some of the things I have learned, thus far:

Number One

When you apply to the University of Leeds (not through Juniata, but the website) there is a section where you pick your classes (or modules) for the semester.  In this section you are actually applying and enrolling in your modules. I would recommend applying for about 10 classes.  Trust me, it's way less of a headache later.

Number Two 


Because of Number One I have had to email many departments, the study abroad office, and countless others.  Do not expect an email within 24 hours (or on the weekend)  the average range for an email has been 2-7 business days.

Number Three


When you apply for accommodations you will receive your housing contract in the beginning of August.   You will have to accept your contract within 7 days the email was sent (so check your email everyday in august!!) and you will have to pay the £200 ($325) deposit when accepting the contract.

These are just the few off the top of my head, if I think of more I will let you know! 

First Perk of Studying Abroad

It has been roughly 3 months since I discovered I would be studying in Leeds during the Fall.  Sometimes, I am slow getting around to people that I will be on a different continent for 4 months.  During my last day of work on Tuesday, my boss found out I would be going to England.  I came in on Wednesday to finish up last minute details and she surprised me with travel journal.  I am so ecastic! While I'm riding on trains and in planes, I don't plan on having a phone so this journal will be the best when I can not access my laptop to blog.

 It is currently packed away will all of my other stuff since I just got to Baltimore from PA, but this is a picture of what it looks like:

(source)

It is just about the same size as a postcard & is super sturdy feeling.  It will be create to put odds & ends in as well as to doodle & write about what I'm thinking. 

In conclusion, first perk of study abroad: Unexpected, fun, creative, and free gifts =)