2.  Here are a few things you should know…  The campus is small! It’s actually smaller than Bridgewater believe it or not. However, it does have everything you need!  Reception  Security  Library  Student Zone  Halfway House (Housing)  School Store

3.  The student zone has been a great resource for us. Our housing didn’t have internet so we often had to go to the student zone to use theirs.  During the day there is a café for students to get lunch if they are on campus.  At night it is used either as a study area or a night club. Most nights it is quiet and you can get work done or Skype home. However, Wednesday is the big party night on campus and things get pretty crazy!

4.  Security has also been a big part of our stay here.  They are always wandering around campus and are always friendly!  On Wednesday’s when the student zone gets wild, they let us use the security office to use the internet.  Also, when our fire alarm went off (twice) they were right there to disarm it.

6.  Houses seven people (3 double rooms and one single).  HUGE kitchen with plenty of space for food in the cabinets, plenty of dishes, one refrigerator, and one freezer. So far all of us have been able to store all of our food comfortably without a problem.  One washer dryer (not that big and not that great). You can barely fit a whole load in there and it doesn’t really dry that well. You usually have to run the dryer twice. However, for the most part it has been fine and no one has really had to wait long to use it and we haven’t had to lug our laundry across campus or pay for it. So it is a plus having one in here.  A decent size guest room with one couch and two chairs. It also has a T.V. with a pretty good amount of channels. No DVD player or VCR.  Two bathrooms but only one has a shower. However, so far we haven’t had a problem. Our showering schedules have been different and haven’t had to wait long to use it, if at all.  All in all I’d say it has been nice living here. It is a nice house and the other students who live here are friendly.

8.  Crewe is a great community! It is a relatively small town but again there is everything you need and most things are in walking distance!  Tesco is where we got all of our groceries. It is a convenience store that is about a 10 minute walk from the campus. They have just about everything that you could need and it is pretty cheap.  However, Crewe also has a town center that is about a half hour walk from the campus and there is a huge shopping plaza there with all types of stores and restaurants. If you can’t find it at Tesco you can find it in the center.  There is also a train station only 15 minutes walk from the campus. You can find a train that goes anywhere from this station so it is very convenient. You can buy at the station or book tickets online. For far trips I suggest you book in advance because the tickets are usually cheaper that way and you are guaranteed a seat.  Nantwich road is the main road that runs through Crewe and brings you to the school. There are plenty of shops and restaurants along this road as well.

10. St. Mary’s is one of the bigger primary schools in Crewe. Friendly and welcoming staff. Mission Statement: Our overall mission is to provide within a caring Christian community an education which develops and supports the individual needs and talents of all the children and enables then to learn and live through faith and education.

11. St. Mary’s is located about 2 miles from the MMU campus. Expect to be in the classroom Tuesday- Thursday. You will partake in whole class instruction as well as small group instruction. You will gain experience working with English language learners since there are several Polish speaking students in each classroom.

15. Plenty to do in the UK: London Manchester Liverpool The Lake District Wales Outside of the UK: Ireland Paris Scotland Italy

16.  Plan in Advance! Usually plan 1 or 2 weekends before, especially for outside of the UK and to London. The closer you get to the trip, the more expensive the train/plane tickets get!  Crewe Train Station takes you anywhere in the UK.  When flying: Fly out of Liverpool. £20 ($35) roundtrip by train/bus to get to John Lennon Airport.  Cheap airlines in the UK: Ryanair & Easyjet- flights to Dublin about £60 ($110).  Flying out on Thursdays usually was cheaper! Fly out late Thursday night after school.  Book Hotels and Hostels ahead of time online. Read reviews before booking-they usually are accurate. Cheap hotels: Premier Inn, Travelodge (both usually close to train stations and airports)

17.  Each big city has an underground train station similar to the T.  London= The Underground or Tube  Paris= The Metro  Everywhere you go, be prepared to walk. Bring a good pair of walking shoes!!!  Get a map as soon as you arrive at your destination at the train station before venturing out on your own.

18.  England uses the pound, £. The exchange rate is about 2:3.  Example: $100 will get you about £65 OR to take out £200 from the ATM it will cost $300.  Outside of the UK (Ireland, Paris, etc.) uses the Euro. Exchange rate = 3:4  Example: $100 will get you about 75€ OR to take out 200 € from the ATM it will cost $265.

19.  You can use your Debit card at any ATM!  Some banks (Bank of America) have sister banks, where there is no fee. Most ATM’s, however, charge a small fee ($5). Check with the bank you use!  You can use your credit cards!  Again, most credit card companies charge a small transaction/conversion fee.

20.  Plane: $800-$1000  Accommodations: £300-£400, $600-$800  Living (food, etc.): £20-£30, $40-$50 per week. $300-$400 total.  Travel (Optional): $0-2000  Total: No Traveling- $1800-$2200 Traveling Every Weekend - $3000-$4000

21. We traveled EVERY weekend! This experience is what you make of it. It is more about seeing the world, learning about other cultures, and saying you saw the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, and the Blarney Stone. If you’re worried about money, don’t! In 20 years, is $3000 going to make a difference to you? Think about that…