The Year Abroad

Students on the four-year degree in American Studies (T701), or taking the year abroad option when studying the English and American Studies degree, are required to spend their third year undertaking an approved course of study at one of our partner universities in the United States - see the map and links below for more details each of them.

• Interactive Map
• Year Abroad Guide
• Useful Links
• Partner Institutions
• Student Comments

Interactive Map

Use our interactive map to find the location of our partner institutions, and see images of the campus and area:

• Interactive Map of the US

Year Abroad Guide

The following document provides detailed information on the year abroad, and helpful advice on student life in your partner institution. It is a PDF (Acrobat) file: you can read and print this document at your convenience. If you are accessing this document from outside the University of Leicester, you may need to obtain a copy of Adobe Acrobat to view it.

• Year Abroad Guide

Useful Links

• University of Leicester International Office
• The US Embassy
• The Fulbright Commission

Partner Universities

• Arizona State University, Tempe
• California State University, Long Beach
• Colorado State University, Fort Collins
• George Mason University, Fairfax
• Hastings College, Nebraska
• Illinois State University, Normal
• James Madison University, Virginia
• Kent State University, Ohio
• Le Moyne College, New York
• Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• North Central College, Naperville, Illinois
• Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
• Old Dominion University, Norfolk
• State University of New York, Buffalo
• University of Florida, Gainesville
• University of Georgia, Athens
• University of Kansas, Lawrence
• University of Miami, Coral Gables
• University of Texas at Arlington
• University of Tulsa, near Oklahoma City
• Utah State University, Logan

Student Comments

‘Miami is an incredible place to go for a year. I have so many memories and have made so many friends from around the world. It is well worth the costs and will greatly expand your views on America, helping you immensely when you come back to Leicester to finish your studies.’
Will Creagh-Barry (Miami University, 2005-6)

‘I look back on my year at LSU with great fondness. Make sure to throw yourself into university life – it really does pay to get involved with people. Make friends with Americans as well as the international crowd and you will get the most of your time away. Good luck with your year abroad and I hope you have as much fun as I did.’
Chris Ackerley (Louisiana State University, 2005-6)

'In Miami there were a large number of courses that facilitated my needs. All the expectations I had were not only met but were exceeded. I truly believe the year abroad was something that cannot be matched: I made a lot of friends, experienced a whole new culture, and grew independently as a person.'
Alana Parker (University of Miami, 2004-5)

'My expectations were definitely fulfilled by the year abroad. I met some amazing people who I hope to stay in contact with forever. I travelled to New York, Washington DC and San Francisco which was easier and cheaper than travelling from England and I studied subjects I have not been able to before and from a different perspective. I believe the year abroad is an integral part of the degree.'
Hannah Parish (Illinois State University, 2004-5)

'I shared an apartment with another Leicester student - we went together and were already good friends.  History courses in Arizona were really interesting.  I took one on Arizona specifically and a number on Native Americans, which really helped to broaden my understanding of the South West and my dissertation topic on the Hopis.' 
Lucy Jefferson (Arizona State University, 2003-4)

'My year in Buffalo was amazing, I met so many people, and made so many friends I'm still in contact with. The University was incredibly helpful and welcoming to foreign students. Halls were small but lively, full of both international students and American students. The literature courses were fascinating - the tutor really reached out and made sure that international students were involved and understood all aspects of the class.'
Sarah Haskins (State University of New York at Buffalo, 2003-4)

'I absolutely loved the year abroad.  Sharing a room with an American student had its ups and downs, but encouraged a deeper understanding of U.S. culture.  I majored in Criminal Justice Studies - an eye-opener!  We had field trips to prisons and work experience with the police - an opportunity to study a fascinating aspect of American life.'
Nikki Woodard (Old Dominion, Virginia, 2001-2)

'Living conditions at Kent State were excellent, despite having to share a room.  Courses on offer were wider in range than at Leicester, and I especially enjoyed those relating to popular culture.  Overall, it was a highly beneficial, rewarding experience that I would recommend to everyone.' 
Rob Foster (Kent State, Ohio, 2001-2)

'The most rewarding aspect of my degree was the way in which my outlook on life has been opened up and broadened by this close study of America as a country and a culture.  As a result, I have gained in confidence and belief in myself, as well as developing skills I need to achieve my career aims.' 
Catherine Mills (University of Texas, Austin, 2000-1)