Dear CBU: Letters from England
Entry #2: Subtle Differences

Correspondent: Sally Lynch
Senior at CBU
Natural Science Major
English/Psychology Minor
Hometown: Covington, Louisiana
(45 miles north of New Orleans)

Hello again from across the pond! As I mentioned the last time I wrote, my name is Sally Lynch, I am a senior at CBU, and I am currently studying abroad at Edge Hill College in England. This week, I would like to discuss a few of the subtle differences between campus life in the US and in the UK.

First of all, be assured that there is a difference- you're not in Kansas anymore, you know! But, one thing remains, and that is that it's still college. Young people at Edge Hill are just like young people in America: some are shy, some are sweet, some are athletes, some are brains, some are party-animals, etc. Everyone here is looking for the best possible way to reach the brightest future without sacrificing their personal right to party! Sound familiar? So, whatever you do, don't stereotype! Students here don't all wear monocles and drink Earl Grey all day!

Anyway, back to the subtle differences. Financially speaking, there are a couple variations that American students need to be aware of. First of all, most students here are depending upon the government to subsidize the majority of their academic tuition. As a result, most UK students will pay a total of between 6,000 and 10,000 pounds (or between 12,000 and 20,000 US dollars) for, not one, but all three years of their college career.

Because the government takes care of most students' tuition needs, there are a couple campus-life expenses that we American students take for granted that must be paid upon coming to Edge Hill. In other words, due to the decreased tuition, there is an increased cost of living.

Take for example, the gymnasium. At CBU, full-time students are allowed free access to the workout rooms and courts. At Edge Hill, if you want to stay fit, be prepared to pay for a gym membership that will cost you between 17 and 25 pounds per month (between about 34 and 50 dollars monthly). The membership allows you access to the track, weight-room, various courts and fields, swimming pool, and a variety of fitness classes including Pilates and yoga.

Social life is also a little more expensive. There is a club located on campus called The Venue, but there is a cover charge of about two-pounds, and another pound for access into the dance area on certain nights. Students can buy a membership to The Venue during orientation week, which is a huge money-saver; the membership only costs two-pounds and fifty-pence (about five dollars) and will last you all semester.

Another thing that might surprise CBU students upon arrival is that fact that you have to open a printing account when you begin to use the computer labs and library. That's right, the paper isn't free anymore! Printing costs about five-pence (or 10-cents) per sheet, and colour-prints are about 30-pence per sheet. Speaking of the computer labs, if you're addicted to The Face Book or checking your email hourly, be prepared to spend a lot of time in there. Dorms at Edge Hill do not have internet access. Be ready to carry change for the laundry too! A load of clothes will run you one-pound and 20-pence, and the dryers cost 20-pence for 12 minutes. Bet you'll never complain about the CBU laundry service again, huh?

So, now that you know about some of the subtle differences, you can come prepared! Please don't think that Edge Hill is an excessively expensive place, because it certainly is not! If you plan ahead financially, and know what to expect, life here is not much different at all from life at CBU. There are amazing people, good times, excellent facilities, and a staff that is willing to work one-on-one with students to make sure that you have the best experience possible! I wouldn't trade it for the world! Thanks for reading, and I hope that this week's commentary has been helpful to all you soon-to-be world travellers at CBU! I'll be writing again soon! Ta' for now!

Check out some pictures with this entry!

Read Sally's Entries!
Entry #1: Hello to all my fellow Buccaneers back at CBU!
Entry #2: Subtle Differences
Entry #3: The A's, B's, and C's of Studying Abroad
Entry #4: Travel Tips
Entry #5: Q and A Session
Entry #6: The Countdown Begins!
Entry #7: Saying Goodbye
Entry #8: Re-Entry: the Ups and Downs

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