My Exchange at The University of Nottingham – Law
I’m a conjoint LLB/BA student in my fifth year of study and could not recommend the 360 International Exchange more! I spent a semester studying law at the University of Nottingham in the UK, and I have absolutely loved every moment. The last six months have been an unforgettable experience – one that I will remember for a lifetime. I have met people from all over the world, travelled to 11 countries, and learnt about different cultures and ways of life.
Studying at the University of Nottingham enabled much of my experience, with their supportive staff, friendly lecturers, and *AMAZING* campus. I found the course structure similar to Auckland, except for 100% exams. However, I think this benefitted me because I could travel, socialise during term and then study during exam leave. The content was very interesting. I took three papers: Employment Law, Human Rights Law, and Company Law, and I can confidently say that I have expanded my knowledge and will use what I have learned in my professional career.
The campus is unique and rich in history. Its foundations were built in 1881, but there is now an old/new contrast. The Portland Building looks over a beautiful boat lake– one of my favourite places for a study break. The building is grand and always reminded me that I was not home in New Zealand. In addition, Wollaton Park is another must-see building, about a 10-minute walk from campus. It’s an old estate (where they filmed Batman) with deer roaming the grounds.
The campus facilities themselves are excellent! The Davis Ross Sports Centre has a swimming pool, fitness suite, spin studio, dojo room, fencing room, climbing wall, sports pitches, and the best gym I have ever seen. It was undoubtedly one of my favourite places on campus – and only a 5-minute walk from my accommodation. The membership was £125 for one semester but it was worth it. It allows unlimited fitness classes and access to the centre. Also, it funded my membership in a social hockey team, which I loved and met a lot of my friends at.
I stayed at Broadgate Park, a self-catered hall about a 10-15 minute walk from the University Park Campus. There is a 24/7 reception, laundry facilities and two study lounges with TVs, pool tables and kitchenettes. The accommodation team were lovely and welcoming. Each flat had about five rooms, two bathrooms and a big kitchen/dining area. They put all exchange students in one building, which I loved because we all had this shared experience and wanted to travel and explore together. You meet people from so many different countries. I made great friends in my flat with people from Sydney, Vancouver, Barcelona and Hong Kong. Also, all people were on average 21/22 years old, so they weren’t freshers, which made a big difference.
The transport to the City of Nottingham is great. There are trains, trams and buses that frequently operate with tap-on/off system. The city centre was about a 15-minute drive, meaning that I would go there to shop, get food, or meet people regularly. The nightlife is so fun, and I always felt safe. Notts is a student city, so there are always people you bump into or can walk home with. Lots of 2nd/3rd year students have flats in Lenton, so I went to parties or socials at their flats. Everyone is so friendly!
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
I found it empowering to learn about the law from a different perspective, especially with the influence of Europe (pre/post-Brexit).
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
I have been fortunate to use this opportunity to travel. I recommend exchanging in UoA’s Semester Two as it allows for a Euro Summer before uni starts. In addition, the University of Nottingham is in a unique location and central in the UK. There is an airport 20 minutes away with a direct bus route for £2!! This meant that travelling was super easy and cheap, which I loved.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
1. Plan and organise – make sure you get everything you can sorted before you go e.g., visas, important documents, insurance and travel plans. It can be very difficult to get hold of people with the time differences, and it can cost money if you need something urgently.
2. Create a budget, but be flexible where you can.
3. Make the most of every moment.
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?
Overall, the cost of living is cheaper in the UK. I found that my weekly grocery shop was about £40 on average. Also, there were so many great charities/OP SHOPS to buy clothing from at low prices. Most of my budget went on travelling, which is expected, but I wanted to make the most of it, especially being close to Europe.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
I learnt a lot on my exchange – from trivial things like how to get from A to B without a car to being independent on the other side of the world. My confidence has improved, and I converse with people more easily.
I would advise taking advantage of every opportunity and not stressing about your savings – “your money will return, but your time won’t”. Words to live by.