Summer School at the University of Sussex

Studying abroad was probably on of the biggest highlights in my undergraduate career. It was an opportunity not only to get college credit but I felt like it helped me have the chance to discover who I was as an individual. Being thrown into a new country with a different culture and norms can be overwhelming yet it gave me a great appreciation for the world around me and realized how much of the world I have yet to see. Also traveling independent helped me mature and just be able to explore things I might not have been able to with other people.

Studying at the University of Sussex's summer program was the best decision I have made when it comes to academics. I instantly felt at home with the Sussex community and easily made friends on campus. Brighton was one of the most welcoming, bustling, and happy cities that I have ever spent time in. It was impossible to have a dull moment either at the University or in Brighton, especially since the World Cup was going on while I was in England. I received endless kindness from the locals and the staff at the University of Sussex. I would love to study at the University of Sussex again, preferably for a longer period of time!

Everything was awesome. I really liked it. Campus was like a forest, enjoyed the walks to the gym at night through the tall trees. My teacher, Toby, had lot of experience in the subject, he always made sure we understood everything and he was always at our disposal for any doubt.
Classrooms were fully equipped, comfortable and modern. Brighton has bars, nightclubs, malls, cinemas, that made this experience even better because I always had something to do. Maybe if classes were from Monday to Thursday, that’s my only suggestion.

I really enjoyed my time at the University of Sussex in their Summer School. I was there for one session (roughly a month), which was a nice amount of time to acclimate to England. Classes were insightful and it was easy to travel into Brighton to sightsee, find places to eat, and explore the area. There is also a nice system of trails connected directly to the university that are nice to walk down. It was also fairly easy and quick to travel to other cities in England with the rail system. I would recommend to anyone looking to study in Europe!

The program is fast paced and the content isn't easy. The midterms have 10 questions in an hour all multiple choice. The final is 20 multiple choice questions.
Every other week you have an exam.
The TA's are helpful and knowledgeable. They are shy compared to American ones but are very friendly once spoken to.
The flats are very nice, spacious, clean, and private. I really enjoyed the accessibility to public transportation which is really reliable.
Tour groups cater to university students and will leave from campus to countries like France and the Netherlands so traveling is convenient.
The Gatwick airport is close to campus and is 2 trains away.
The study abroad directors plan multiple excursions to places like Oxford, Stonehenge, the Royal Pavilion, etc.

I did the Sussex program for physics through UCEAP and it is by far the most academically challenging task I have had to date. The learning pace was much too fast for me and some personal issues came up during my trip that caused my focus to waver. There is quiz after quiz, test after test and I had no chance to grasp concepts before it was too late it felt like. The social life was great, everyone around was friendly and even though I struggled, I wouldn’t change that experience for the world. If you have second thoughts or if money is a concern, know that money can always be payed back and experiences are forever!

I did the physics summer abroad program through UCEAP at my school, which allows you to complete 3 quarters of physics lab and lecture in 8 weeks! It sounds crazy but it's really not, because your only focus is school when you're there. Lectures were recorded, review sessions were offered, the book was helpful. I recommend this to everyone - Brighton was also a great place to go out at night or during the day. There were lots of cute shops to walk around, and the pier reminded me of Santa Monica.

I made a lot of friends through this program, a lot from California that I still keep in touch with, and a few from Brighton that I still keep in touch with. One of my friends from Brighton visited LA just a few weeks ago! This program helps you get ahead in school and gives you the time to make friends and build lasting relationships.

I was extremely honored to be selected as a Fulbright Summer Institute participant at the University of Sussex Summer School. I took a Field Biology course with Professor Sarah McKenzie, and it was one of the best science courses I've ever taken. It was short (only 4 weeks) but the instruction was of incredibly high quality. There was just enough in-class work/lecture to prepare you for the field, and then the majority of the learning was hands on – with a kind, supportive, knowledgeable, fun, and passionate professor. We were able to travel to many different locations around the Brighton area to learn about 4 different habitats, and I was able to see and experience sites and beautiful communities that I would have never seen if traveling for leisure. The class had just enough work/assignments to keep you busy but not stressed and there was still plenty of free time to explore England. Lastly, Professor McKenzie was so caring and attentive and planned a special excursion so that I could better explore my passions in agriculture.

I absolutely LOVED my U Sussex trip to the Harry Potter Set/Studio! The Bath trip was also really fun and the staff were kind, upbeat, and easy going but organized. There was an opening celebration/party for us at the beginning of our stay, and I also believe there was an ending party too - what a welcoming community! The campus was very pretty is a natural way with beautiful wildflower meadows and trails across campus to exercise and explore. I took advantage of the free workout classes at the gym, and they were engaging and challenging. While I had some troubles with homesickness while I was there, I really did love the UK. I loved the practicality of public transportation, the amazing history and gardens, and the overall ease of society. I would DEFINITELY recommend this program for any student interested in experiencing a new way of life while expanding their educational horizons.