Hi, I’m Frances!

A big hello to prospective students, current students, parents and anyone who might be reading my blog. I thought I’d start by introducing myself a little bit. My name’s Frances and I have just finished my first year as a Criminology student at the University of Leicester, which flew by way too fast, but I had an amazing time! From August, I’m expecting to start my second year at California State University, Long Beach, where I will be studying American police, the penal system and research statistics until late December, and I’ll be experiencing as much as I possibly can in the time I’m over there! Some of my other interests are music, videogames, Mexican food, films, books and travel so I might write a little bit about these from time to time too.

My hometown is Lincoln. I’ve heard stories of other students coming from big cities adjusting to smaller city life in Leicester, but for me personally, Leicester is a comparatively big city. I really enjoy having a completely different life at university than at home. Home for me now is a place of small town quirks with features that I’ve only really noticed and grown to love so much since spending some significant time away. And although Leicester is different in so many ways, I absolutely love Leicester, and Oadby, where the student village is located. Leicester seems to be one of those places that is small enough to be friendly, but big enough to have a lot to do.

I’m still getting things organised for my semester abroad in California. I plan to fly 16^th August and have been lucky enough to grab a seat next to one of my friends who is also going to study Criminology in California. I’m so, so excited to live in California and immerse myself in American culture. I’m considering trying out cheerleading while I’m away and I’ve already spoken to a student there who has told me some really exciting stuff about frat parties. On top of that, I have booked tickets to see Marina and the Diamonds in LA! Missing her last tour and her UK dates this year was a huge heartbreaker (pun for Marina fans) for me, so I am MORE than excited that I can see her in LA!

Of course, I’ll also be studying in California and working in an American academic system. It’s going to be tough to adjust to, but so interesting. I’m particularly excited to study police and prisons from an American perspective. Expect a few of my future posts to give insight into what it’s like to study Criminology both in Leicester and in California! On top of my core modules, I was also able to pick one extra module, in any subject, to study at CSULB, and I chose Techniques of Rock-Climbing. Playing Lara Croft not long before I had to choose my module might have affected this decision a little, but with little experience of real rock-climbing but a lot of love for mountainous countryside and landscapes, this is something I’m genuinely extremely interested in learning more about!

To find out more about being a student and studying Criminology at Leicester, as well as what it’s like to go on a Study Abroad adventure, watch this space!