University of Reading (RDG)

I believe the best way to enjoy the life at Reading university is to join English student clubs. Personally, I joined the photography club, the athletics club and the "chess and bridge" club. In such clubs, you can meet local and foreign students and make them become your friends. During the time I spent in these clubs, I had great fun and very nice moments. It is also a way to discover how English students live and enjoy life during their spare times. Finally, if you would like to enjoy short trips in England, Scotland or Ireland, you can do it for a 3-day or a 1-week experience in groups of about 20 people sharing a minibus. For Scotland, the company is called "Haggis", for England, I don't remember, sorry, and for Ireland, it is "Blarney buses". With Blarney, I had a great experience in Ireland. I recommend it to everyone.

Do everything your host university tells you to do. I got a huge packet at Rutgers and had a study abroad orientation there. The main reason you are going to another country is academics, so make sure that is your first priority! Take less classes than you do at your host university, so you can have more fun on your experience (travel, nightlife). Make sure you have enough money saved up, the more you have, the more fun you will have! Be responsible and have fun!

First of all, lots of people chose Reading because it's really near to London (train every 10 min. to Paddington, 25min. all). If you travel a lot by train, it's better buying a reduction card. Academic life: be organised, and begin your essays and stuff quite in advance to have the time to find the right book.

everything was great

keep in mind that Reading is near london, and that you can be in the center of london in 20 mn :)