I highly recommend attending all meetings and orientation before leaving for your study abroad. They helped me to make sure I did not miss anything important.

There was a pharmacy less than half a mile away from my dorm, and it was easy to buy over the counter medications. However, I did not need a doctor or prescribed medication while I was abroad.

I felt incredibly safe walking to and from campus or even to and from downtown (which was a 30-minute walk). There were students and some families always around. Bus fare to downtown, the grocery stores, and back to the dorm was 2.50 GBP (British pound) unlimited all day.

I struggled with the UK class system. Each class I was enrolled in only met once a week for two hours. Therefore, most of the learning was supposed to take place outside of the classroom on your own. Each class only required one assignment and one final exam at the end. That put a lot of pressure to do well on each of those assignments. I felt as if I put more emphasis on making a good grade on the assignment and exam rather than learning the material.

The study abroad club/ERASMUS provided great day trips for very cheap prices. I was able to tour Stonehenge, Cambridge, Bourton on the Water, and more.

I felt very safe in my dorm, Benyon Hall. There was a key to get in my building, a key to get on my floor, and another key to get in my room. However, I did not like how thin the walls were. I had a flatmate who was exceptionally loud at all times of the day and night. Also, the building my classes were located in was a 30-minute walk from my dorm. I got used to it, but it definitely was a little workout each day. Dress warmly in the winter! On the plus side, there was a beautiful pond in the middle of Benyon Hall; my friends and I would always go sit out by it, to study or simply hang out.

Groceries were much cheaper in Reading than Athens, GA. There was the option to have groceries delivered right to your dorm building for only 1 GBP. I chose to take a weekly trip to ASDA (their nicer version of Walmart). I took my reusable bag, rode the bus, and carried them from the bus stop to my dorm. I always went with my friends and it was a fun excuse to get out on a Sunday.

It was better than I expected.

"The University of Reading became my second home quickly and I will cherish those memories for the rest of my life. More than the education, the experiences and independence I gained have helped me grow as a person."