On-Site Staff for Reading, England
The Reading program is administered in the U.S. by the USAC Central Office and in Reading, England, by the University of Reading’s Study Abroad Office. A dedicated and experienced team looks after all aspects of your study abroad experience and will help you integrate into student life while getting the most out of your experience.
The Study Abroad Office team will assist with admission, provide an on-site welcome program and orientation, offer academic and practical assistance, and oversee your general well-being throughout your stay. They can also guide students to other resources and services on campus, including the Disability Advisory Service, Counselling and Wellbeing Services, and Welfare Team.
The University of Reading’s on-site orientation will have specialized sessions specifically designed for incoming study abroad students to help them integrate in the student community and settle into their new surroundings. Study skills advisers run dedicated workshops to help study abroad and exchange students acclimate to British academic culture and learn more about the skills required to be academically successful. Students also have access to a full range of online and in-person student support services while studying in Reading. The award-winning Students’ Union, located at the heart of campus, offers further support services and facilities.
Meet the Resident Director
In addition to the outstanding support available from the University of Reading staff, Dara Fleming-Farrell, Ph.D., will also serve as a resource to USAC students as the Resident Director, based in London.
If you notice an Irish accent out of Dara, your ears aren’t deceiving you. Originally from Ireland, she earned both her bachelor’s and doctorate degrees from Trinity College Dublin. Dara knows the breadth and depth of the student study abroad experience from her previous experience managing international education partnerships between Irish-based colleges and colleagues across the United States. For anyone worried about what life will be like living in the U.K., know that she has also managed residence life operations for London-area universities.
As the Resident Director for the USAC England programs, Dara will be an on-site resource for students enrolled in the partnership programs in England. You will first meet her during your mandatory on-site orientation. After that, she will arrange for group events and field trips for you and other USAC students in a program near you.