My Exchange at The University of Southampton
I found out about the 360 International exchange programme through word of mouth from another student who participated in it. I decided to apply to the University of Southampton as this university is ranked high in the UK for my major, anthropology. When I first arrived in Southampton, I felt very welcomed and initially met many new people from orientation. However, the people I felt closest to were those I spent most of my time with, such as classmates and flatmates. I chose the cheapest available accommodation for international students and it was quite decent. I had almost no issues throughout my entire time as an exchange and when I did, the receptionists and other student leaders were very eager to help me sort it out. The central area was very close by and there were many places to buy food or other necessities. In my opinion, the cost of living in the UK is relatively similar to Auckland but may be lower in some cases such as food and transport. The most expensive part of your exchange will likely be accommodation costs, especially if you plan to move into university halls which are already costly. However, they provide most other utilities as well (gas, electricity, water, transport, laundry, food if catered) so it may be a better option for some.
Southampton is an amazing port city in the south of England. The weather is decent but tends to get very cold and wet during winter. There is a central train station that connects to most other cities in the UK so it is very convenient. Buses run throughout most of the city as well. There are many good and diverse food options in Southampton, particularly cheap ones as it is known for being a ‘student’ city. The university has two main campuses, Avenue and Highfield. While Highfield is the biggest and busiest campus, I did not spend much time there as most of my classes were in Avenue. However, during my short stay, I noticed plenty of food options and places to sit down to eat or study. The Avenue campus is quite small but has its charm and is perfect for quieter study spaces. Switching between campuses is also relatively easy and is a short walk or bus ride away. Lecture halls are always clean and well-kept. I thoroughly enjoyed the way my courses were taught and all of my lecturers were very friendly and helpful.
The highlight of my exchange would be exploring the country. I travelled to many different cities in the UK either via a coach or a train. I recommend planning a few day trips to neighbouring cities as they are all very different from each other and have their charm. Winchester is perhaps the closest to Southampton and there are a few buses that can take you there. Within Southampton, you can explore the ruins of Netley Abbey which is an underrated historic spot.
The most difficult part about exchange would probably be buying many necessities in the beginning and figuring out how to bring them back to New Zealand or get rid of them. For instance, most halls require you to bring your bedding, so purchasing them as soon as you land in the country and then finding places to donate them after your stay can be challenging for some people. I would make sure to make lists of exactly what your accommodation does NOT provide and research where to purchase these before you arrive so that you have your necessities for the first night. If staying in halls, most provide a charity box where you can donate your items so make sure to inquire at the reception about it. In regards to bringing items back to New Zealand, I would either send a parcel back home or buy an extra bag to bring through the flight. The costs end up roughly the same but posting large items means you do not have to carry it on the flight.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
The highlight of my academic experience would be the archaeological fieldwork that I was required to do for one of my courses. In UoA, due to my major, I do not get to experience a lot of practical work so to be able to travel for fieldwork with my classmates was both enjoyable and insightful. I made many friends from the fieldwork who I still keep in contact with after the exchange and most of all, I was proud to contribute to the work done by professional archaeologists.
Another highlight was planning my experiment for one of my courses. It was another practical piece of work required for the course. We were given several weeks to conduct our experiments related to archaeological science. The University of Southampton offers a lot of practical work and demonstrations in addition to interesting lectures to support it.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
Southampton has a lot of great spots for socialising! There are many bars, pubs, and eateries near the university and central area to meet up with friends. The university also hosts many diverse clubs so there is something for everyone.
Otherwise, London, Bath, Portsmouth, Salisbury and other interesting cities are only a short train or coach ride from Southampton. I recommend spending a few days in central London to visit the art galleries and historic museums. Stonehenge is worth visiting and is only an hour’s train ride from Southampton.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
- Shop from Asda or Lidl and avoid Coop or Tesco as they tend to be much more expensive.
- If you’re struggling to make friends, find an international club or join international social events.
- If travelling within the UK, take coaches or flights from smaller airports as they tend to be cheaper than train tickets.
How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?
I aimed for less than $400 a month for basic expenses and $500 a month for travelling or other personal expenses. The UK is relatively cheap compared to New Zealand in terms of basic necessities such as food, but if you are planning to do a lot of shopping it tends to be very expensive. I recommend signing up for free memberships in stores wherever possible (Boots, Lidl, Primark) if you plan to spend on these stores throughout your stay. Overall, there are plenty of cheap options in Southampton and the UK in general so there should not be much of an issue if you budget accordingly.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
I learned about the importance of networking in my particular field. Everyone in the UK and Europe in general is very efficient in networking with each other and with professionals in the field, which motivates me to do the same in New Zealand.
I also learned about many interesting places by making friends with other international students. For instance, we would often share stories about each other’s home countries and compare cultures/traditions. Learning about different perspectives from around the world is very insightful.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
Within the UK I travelled to London, Bath, Salisbury, Portsmouth, and Edinburgh. Edinburgh is worth visiting no matter where you stay in the UK. It is a beautiful city and quite different from Auckland so those who live here will get to see a completely different city. Bath and Salisbury are cities with old buildings so if you are a fan of medieval or Roman history it is worth visiting.
Final Comments
Do lots of research on your host country/city. Don’t be afraid to ask local students about the area as you learn about many more places and parts of culture that you would not have found online.
