Exchange students from Winchester, England study at King's for a semester

Three students in their second year at the University of Winchester in England are spending their fall semester at King’s University College in the Childhood and Social Institutions (CSI) program. Their grades and credits will transfer to their home university at the end of the semester. They will also take home with them a unique Canadian experience and new friendships.

King’s campus is quite different from the 7,000-student body at the University of Winchester. Katy Jones, Lucy Mace and Lisa Wright (pictured from left to right) say they love being at King’s. “It’s such a nice environment. Everyone is so friendly. Walking around the campus you’ll see at least two to three people you know. People will sit and have a chat – it’s great!” says Wright. All three agree that so far Orientation-Week has been the highlight.

One of the most surprising things about coming to Canada is the language difference, despite the fact that English is the common language. “It was a bit of a culture shock, really. I didn’t think there would be so many different words we’d have to learn. In England, we have freshers, which is similar to a frosh, and we say lecturer not professor. We sometimes get confused looks or sometimes we have to ask people to clarify,” says Jones. “Apparently, no one can understand how we pronounce mocha,” adds Mace with a laugh.

In addition to getting the Canadian university experience, these exchange students participate in the many events put on by King’s International. The group will visit Toronto on Sunday, September 23, and the students recently toured Niagara Falls including a ride on the Hornblower boat ride on the Niagara River.

Overall, these students agree that their semester abroad has been educational and enlightening. They encourage King’s students to take a semester at Winchester in return. “It's a new and exciting experience that everyone should get the chance to be a part of. Not only have we thoroughly enjoyed King’s as an academic institution but the bonds and friendships we've gained will make the memories even better,” says Mace.

CSI can be studied as a 4-year honors program or as a joint major. In addition, King’s offers two certificate/diploma courses – one in childhood and the justice system and one in child advocacy.  The international exchanges that King’s runs each May (to Malmo University, Sweden and to Winchester University in the UK) provide CSI students with the opportunity to study childhood in a different context and from a different perspective, and count as a 0.5 course towards their degree. 

“Students who have taken part in the exchanges benefit greatly from these opportunities in many ways – primarily academically, but equally importantly, in sometimes making lasting friendships with students in the partner institutions,” says Dr. Sara McNamee, Associate Professor and CSI program coordinator.

Learn more about the CSI program at King’s.
Learn more about outgoing exchanges at King’s 50+ partner schools.