Studying abroad: are you cut out for campus life?
When choosing your university abroad, the type of environment you’ll be living in has a big impact on your experience. There are usually several options open to you: choosing a campus university in a rural, urban (in the middle of a metropolis) or semi-urban (in a medium-sized city or on the outskirts of a metropolis) setting. To help you make the right choice, we suggest you consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of environment. It’s worth noting that there is no absolute right or wrong choice, only one that best suits your desires!
Rural campus: living in a bubble
In addition to courses, the universities of Oxford and Cambridge offer an original teaching method: between lush green lawns and a self-contained campus, studying in a rural setting is particularly suitable if you enjoy community life and want a campus university experience!
A peaceful natural environment
If you like nature and quiet places, far from the hustle and bustle of big cities, rural campuses are for you! Most rural universities are located in small towns (less than 25,000 inhabitants) and are integrated into a peaceful environment. Lakes, nature reserves or even forests: these campuses are particularly suitable if you dream of wide open spaces and an environment in which campus and university life take center stage.
A self-sufficient campus
In addition to teaching, rural campuses provide students with accommodation, food, activities and a rich community life. These “university bubbles” are generally self-contained, and it’s possible to live in a virtually closed circuit. By living together on a closed campus, students also develop a strong sense of belonging to their university.
If you enjoy community life, a rural campus will certainly appeal to you. On the other hand, if you’re looking for independence, campus life may not be the best fit for you.
Out and about
The vast majority of students at rural universities live on campus. As the town closest to the university generally offers less entertainment than a metropolis, many evenings and events (concerts, shows, conferences) are organized on campus, and are often inexpensive for students. Depending on the natural setting of the campus (sea, lake, mountains or countryside), you’ll also be able to enjoy a variety of activities such as skiing, kayaking or horseback riding.
So you’ll never run out of things to do on or near campus! However, this environment will be less suitable if you feel the need to be constantly connected to a metropolis and enjoy going out to different bars, theaters or museums every day.
Access and transport
In some cases, rural campuses are quite far from a metropolis – although you can often get there by car or public transport.
Some universities provide free shuttle buses to take students to the nearest town for shopping and off-campus activities. Some students prefer to have their own car, but not everyone does!
Internships and career opportunities
In rural areas, universities generally offer a wide range of on-campus student jobs. When it comes to career opportunities, universities invest heavily in their careers services, so that students can be in as much contact with potential employers as those studying in larger cities. For example, forums, events and conferences are organized on campus with major companies and organizations to find out about all the opportunities on offer. What’s more, since summer vacations are generally particularly long (two to four months), you can also use some of this time to do summer internships in a big city!
Some examples of rural universities
| In the United Kingdom | In the United States |
Durham University Loughborough University Royal Holloway, University of LondonUniversity of Dundee (Écosse)University of EssexUniversity of ExeterUniversity of ReadingUniversity of Strathclyde (Écosse)University of Stirling (Écosse)University of St Andrews (Écosse)University of Warwick | Amherst CollegeBerea CollegeBard CollegeBowdoin CollegeColby CollegeColgate UniversityCornell UniversityDartmouth CollegeHamilton CollegeKenyon CollegeMiddlebury CollegeSmith CollegeThe University of Virginia (UVA)Vassar CollegeWilliams CollegeThe College of William & Mary |
| In Canada | In Spain |
University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)Quest University (British Columbia)University of Toronto – Mississauga Campus (UTM) | IE University (Segovia campus) |
Laura, a student in Classics (Latin and Greek) at the University of St Andrews shares her experience of a rural campus: « St Andrews is very small, so it’s really a town that revolves around the campus and student life. Even though it sometimes feels like you’re too much in a bubble, I love the fact that everything I need is within a 20-minute walk and I feel like I’m in a campus town! Safety-wise, you couldn’t ask for better either. The town of St Andrews itself is beautiful, and having the sea surrounding it is a luxury I’m going to miss after my years here! The town is only connected to the rest of the country by bus, with Edinburgh 1 hour 30 minutes away, Glasgow 2 hours 30 minutes and Dundee 30 minutes. It’s perfectly possible to travel to these cities for the day and return in the evening (there are many direct buses). Students get around a lot on foot, and those who live a little further from the center, by bike. What’s more, the University of St Andrews is over 600 years old, so there’s a lot of history behind it! The town is very beautiful, and you really feel like you’re walking through Hogwarts (especially when the students are wearing capes!). There are a few modern buildings, especially in science and medicine. The university has a large sports center and many fields, and there’s something for everyone: soccer, tennis, but also trampolining, surfing and even quidditch! The town is small, so the cafés are often packed with students. When the weather’s nice, students tend to take to the lawns in front of their classrooms. »
Charles, a graduate of Durham University (UK), describes his experience on a rural campus : « Durham is called the bubbleand its “out-of-this-world” feel can be slightly oppressive at times. Durham is a small town, very English, far from the hustle and bustle of London. This had scared me a little during the open days (open days) but I spent three wonderful years there. To be able to be truly immersed in such a very English environment, in a city with all the advantages of a campus (proximity to sports facilities, student atmosphere, outings) was a blessing. Durham has 14 colleges (like a house in Harry Potter: students live and eat there in first and sometimes third year. Every college has a certain reputation: academic, artistic, sporty, party, chic…). This creates a unique atmosphere and a sense of belonging to a small community right from the start. It also provides plenty of opportunities to socialize and ensure that no one feels lost when they arrive. Finally, the sports facilities are exceptional. »
Finally, Jean-Eudes, a student at IE University in Segovia (Spain) explains : « At IE, you’re lucky enough to be able to choose between the city (Madrid) and the countryside (Segovia) – it’s up to you! Personally, I don’t regret starting in Segovia at all; I think it’s a good option for integrating and making friends. »
Find all the answers to your questions about studying abroad in our book “Etudier à l’étranger après le Bac” (Studyrama Editions).
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