Testimonials

Nottingham has a rich social, political, industrial and creative history. You can learn about how the city and its people have made an impact on the world with our timeline , or read about what has been going on in the city recently .

But don't take our word for it. This is what some of our summer students thought about Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University in 2012.

Cora (Cornell University)

"Being completely immersed in a city that is an elegant collage of old and new architecture brought daily questions for the cohort about how to approach design in a changing urban landscape.

"By participating in NTU's short courses, I was able to study different creative media in a completely foreign setting, learning from instructors that I would otherwise have no access to. The faculty at NTU was welcoming and knowledgeable about photography, graphic design, modelling and many other topics, while also catering to my interest in architecture in a new setting.

"The students we met showed us exactly what it means to be a student in the UK and specifically in Nottingham, and some of my fondest memories are sharing our differences in culture with our student ambassadors.

"My time in the UK has already proven to influence my design decisions as I approach an increasingly global field, and I hope to return sometime soon!"

Naomi (Loyola Marymount University)

"The four weeks I spent this summer in Nottingham were some of the best four weeks of my life. I cannot begin to explain how incredible and illuminating this experience was.

"Throughout the process I gained a better understanding of myself and of how the cultures of the UK and US diverge and overlap.

"One of my personal highlights of the trip was a small tea shop called Lee Rosy’s that had a wonderful array of teas and cakes and I enjoyed spending time there with various people on the trip.

"In addition to interesting art classes, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) planned a diverse array of tours, talks and activities in the city! Everything that was planned was informative, interesting and of course full of laughter with the group!"

Rachel (North Carolina State University)

"The city is beautiful. The mix of modern, Georgian and Victorian architectural styles contributes to the rich city fabric.

"The myriad of restaurants offers numerous new food options to try, the city’s attractions offer different historical and cultural perspectives, and there is an active student-centric night life.

"The people are incredibly friendly and quite welcoming. As a visitor, I felt as though many people were trying to help make my experience memorable by offering me their ‘must see’ attractions of the city as well as helping to provide me with an insider perspective.

"As an architecture student, my favourite aspect was having access to NTU’s expansive shop. The tools and equipment cover the entire basement of one of the buildings and I was able to experiment with machinery I had never used before. Technologically, the University is quite impressive and the faculty and staff are all friendly, helpful and approachable.

"Overall, I had an amazing experience. Coming from a small town in the US I knew Nottingham was going to be different but it more than exceeded my expectations. Even after the month I spent there I feel as though there is still so much more to explore and I can’t wait to go back!"

Rachel (Ball State University)

"The time I had in England was an incredible four weeks of non-stop learning, exploration and discovery.

"I went from place to place being stunned by what I saw and learned. (For instance) we were shown a selection of lace and looked through portfolios in the lace archives and my entire perspective on the medium was completely flipped. I gained a new appreciation for lace as an art, and used this new understanding as the aesthetic inspiration for my final exhibition piece.

"Though we had been told that the British were very reserved, from my experience just the opposite seemed to be true. Most everyone that I met – whether I encountered them through the program, in a pub or on the streets - seemed very willing to start up a friendly conversation with me.

"Learning about the town of Nottingham, and all of England, was an irreplaceable opportunity that I most highly suggest to everyone interested in expanding their worldly knowledge."

Justin (Cornell University)

"I was surprised at how much freedom I was given to explore my own interests in the disciplines I chose. Beyond the classroom, Nottingham Trent did a phenomenal job of supplementing the experience with informative tours, diverse workshops and even a little water-skiing to satisfy my bucket list.

"The Market Square was a fantastic place to relax; the great diversity of restaurants kept us exploring; the University campus was beautiful and very centrally located.

"I not only have a new home, but friends with which I shared it. I am not speaking solely of my fellow participants but also local Nottingham students, coordinators, professors and deans.

"It was easily one of the most productive, educational and enjoyable months of my life.

"To prospective students I would have no reservations in recommending it as tremendous experience."

Karen (University of Southern California)

"I always knew that England was somewhere I wanted to visit in my lifetime, but my experience at NTU was unlike anything I could have imagined. I don’t even know where to begin or how to exactly articulate the immense and incredible impact this program has had on my life and my goals. It was just a never ending learning process.

"The school is wonderful, in terms of faculty and facilities. The people were welcoming and friendly, always willing to offer advice and suggestions. Most of all, the classes were just so interesting. I learned so much about my own interests in photography and how I wanted to apply these skills to my own goals in life. The city has such rich history and beautiful architecture, and many of the sites were just so picturesque.

"To my surprise, Nottingham was just the perfect size to get to know and love. Coming from Los Angeles, a city that is so vast that a car is needed to get from A to B, I really appreciated and loved how close the shops and eateries were to campus. Some of my favourite places were the thrift stores and restaurants located in the city centre. My "go-to" places for food were the Orange Tree and Lee Rosy’s for their restaurant ambiance; I could spend hours in those places chatting with a friend or collecting my own thoughts.

"I have never felt more grateful for such an experience to live and really explore the arts and culture of the UK, and I would not have had it any other way. Nottingham literally became my second home, and I can’t wait to return one day."

 

All words courtesy of the students.