Three or four years ago my daughter visited the UK, Ireland and Wales with a group of teenagers from the USA called Student Ambassadors.  She fell in love with the area in those 3 short weeks.

She is a rising sophomore at Appalachian State University.  She hopes to major in Art Management and someday manage a gallery of her own. 

Here is the punch line.  She wants to do a semester next year at a sister college as an exchange student in Sunderland, UK.  The college is University of Sunderland.

Are any of you familiar with the area or school?

willie,

I looked at the unv's website, and googled sunderland..looked at the things to do, etc.. looks pretty good. One of the nice things of UK..is that she can always hop around on a national express bus (I'm still on their marketing list..I can fwd you their deals..) and  visit places. i did that to drop in at Chris's place.. 7 hour trip from London..but so worth it..Most weekends.. I'd give myself 3 hour max travel time from london and visit places around that 3 hour radius. NE is pretty cheap compared to trains.

Think she ought to do it..it will be an experience..and she will have fun.

sent you an email...

Some reading you might find helpful.[

http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/](http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/)

http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunderland

Sunderland is in the North-East of England. I was born in the city of Newcastle which is to the north of Sunderland, but in the same county (Tyne & Weir). Folks in the North-East are friendly and welcoming for the most part. However, this area suffered in the late 1980s from high unemployment and social deprivation. House prices - a measure of how well a community is doing in the UK - were so low I could have sold mine in the south and bought an entire street in Sunderland. (In fact I almost did). Sunderland does seem to have improved over recent years but I haven't been there to see for myself.

In this area, perhaps more than others in the UK, folks apprieciate good manners. Being polite is a must.

I hope this helps.

Thanks, I am forwarding all this to my daughter.  We have several months to make a decision and this is a great start. 

Chris,my children were raised to be polite, sadly an exception in most of our society.  Saying "sir" and "Ma'am", respecting others, etc...is a given in this household.

*Chris,my children were raised to be polite, sadly an exception in most of our society.  Saying "sir" and "Ma'am", respecting others, etc...is a given in this household.

Willie, I wasn't suggesting for a moment that the opposite was true.

Even in my wildest dreams I never took offense at your reply or thought you may be referring to me of family.  I now must apologize to you for wording that made you feel like that. ... 

lol, this could evolve into an old Chip and Dale cartoon scene of over politeness.

"... no, no, no  you go first sir..."    "oh, no I must insist on you having that pleasure, sir..."   etc..

lol... chip and dale?? i first thought.. hmm..are we turning into one of jane austen's or thomas hardy's novels out here?

 Hey Willie,
As a mom who has a daughter who has done semester studies in other countries and having visited England and Wales myself, I wouldn't hesitate a second sending my daughter there. However, like anywhere, there will always be dangers. Doesn't matter if it's overseas or here at home. If you're like me, you'll worry about them no matter where they are. Ummm, is this the same girl who went careening down the snow slope toward trees and river? If that didn't scare the heck out of you, then you've got no worries. :)
Ang

Willie, this is the problem with different cultures. What may seem innocuous to one might be an outrageous insult to another. As an example I think that in the middle-East it is very insulting to show the soles of your feet, while in the USA being smacked over the head with a baseball bat amounts to the same thing.

She may need a translator as the Geordie/mackem accent may seem difficult to understand! No seriously, very friendly locals, my Nan was from South Shields which is close by. Some very nice landscapes and coastline, with places like Holy island and Hadrians wall not to far away. Weather can be a bit harsh, and the east side tends to get a far bit more snow than the rest of the UK. She could also visit York, and the yorkshire dales with comparitive ease.

Alas, the closest I get to this conversation is actually dating someone at Applalachian back in the day...;)
Haven't been north of Stonehenge, unfortunately...

One thing I would like to find out after doing some research is earning college credits.  It appeared that the UK system is set up on a three year course of study to get a degree and all the courses seem to be 1 year in duration.  In the US the norm is 4 years for a degree and courses are by semester ( each year is divided into two semesters plus a short semester during the summer for those wanting to attend year round).  I'll speak to the foreign studies department at her college about this.

@ Angie
Same fun loving girl you saw.  Don't tell her but I have about decided okay, if she pursues earning some money this summer.  The nice thing about the exchange with this college is her tuition and board here takes care of the same in the UK.  Only expense will be travel and spending money. 

I will shoot you an email via FaceBook.

@ Orbital
She is attending a college in North Carolina mountains now.  The total snow fall this past winter was around 85 inches (215 cm).  She should be able to handle the weather.  As far a accents she is already hoping she will return with a bit of the Brit accent.  She loved it before and said everyone wanted her to talk because of they liked her southern USA drawl.

@Bryster
What is proper protocol on Mars? 

Are you sure mate?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSHHbfY6MVc

I'm from a small town almost exactly midway between Sunderland and Newcastle; I know the area very well.  Newcastle have the better football team; let's get that out of the way up front...!

Newcastle is THE number one party town in the UK; the social life there is second to none, and as the crow flies it's not far at all from Sunderland.  The Bryster is spot-on in his assessment of the social deprivation up there; it's not in your face, but if you've never seen it before, it can come as a bit of a culture shock.  Having said that, most of the UK north of Birmingham could be described in similar terms.  If she's into nature and history, she's in for a treat, Northumberland is breathtaking and not far away.  Rail links nowadays are excellent and my wife will tell you in no uncertain terms that Newcastle is THE place to shop.  

*@Bryster
What is proper protocol on Mars? *

Visitors to my planet find that groveling works pretty well. :lol:

@ Joe
WHAT!

Chippendales???

Many Americans I find far more polite than we are :)

North of England/South of Scotland has gorgeous scenery

I would not recommend UK "night life" for her age group, meh. hey fun is fun but getting plastered like they do now all the time = plain bloody stupid.

Most UK education is pretty good, and from what folks have said by comparison, better than US in some areas of learning.

Hope she has a nice time :)