My name is Carrie Chesser, and I’m from Arizona .  I go to the University of Arizona in Tucson and I’m here at the University of Westminster to study film.  I have a complex learning disability, which is a range of things.  It is a little bit of dyslexia, a little bit of short-term memory loss, poor reading comprehension, and a little attention deficit disorder.

How is your program handling your disabilities?

I don’t think my disabilities will affect me very much here because the structure here is very different than in the United States .  I don’t really have to worry about taking multiple tests, which is my biggest challenge.  Luckily, I’ve been able to make friends with people in my classes that will be willing to give me their notes when I need them.  I haven’t found many problems yet, but it is early in the semester.  I’m a little worried about the amount of required reading later in the semester, though I don’t have much right now. 

What accommodations do you receive at your home school, and how has your home school helped you with your accommodations here?

At my home university, I have note-takers for all my classes.  I have special testing amenities with a controlled environment to allow me to have less distractions and quiet room.  I’m also given more time to take tests, and even change types of testing.  For example, instead of an all multiple choice questions, they’ll split it where I can have essays or oral exams so they can see that I comprehend the material in my own way though I may not be able to show that in my writing.

I did disclose my disability to my home school study abroad office, and I was given some people to contact here, but the people I was supposed to contact here were not the right people.  I haven’t yet disclosed to the office here at Westminster , but I will be disclosing soon.  Apparently, I have to inform them that I have a disability as a rule here so they can go through the right services to accommodate me. 

How long did you research your current program?

I’ve put a lot of time into researching study abroad programs.  I started looking up places when I knew I wanted to study film.  I chose mostly English-speaking programs because I figured especially with my disability, I didn’t want to look into another country because it is very hard for me to learn languages.  I just wanted to avoid the stress of adapting to a new language added to the normal stress of a study abroad student never living away from home before.  I chose the University of Westminster for their credibility of the school of media arts and design, as well as my desire to learn more about the UK .

How much of a factor was your disability in choosing a program?

I did look into the facts on different options for students with disabilities.  However, it was only a 10% factor, nothing major at all.  A few of the other programs didn’t have special programs for students with disabilities, so I came here.  I plan on using services now that I know they exist. 

How have you found the experience so far?

I’ve found it to be great.  Last week was not so good because all the first week orientations.  It was difficult, and a surprise to me because I usually take change really well but the big transition threw me off a bit.  Now that classes have started, I’ve started meeting new people and started getting out a lot more and not spending so much time in my room.  I’ve found it to be great and I’m really enjoying it.

I would tell everyone to not pass up this opportunity.  Being in school, you are given so many chances and opportunities.  There are people out there to help you; you don’t have to do it by yourself.  It is a great opportunity.  When would I ever be able to meet this many people from all over the world studying in so many fields, where we can learn from each other’s experiences?  In all honesty, it wasn’t that difficult and not nearly as difficult as I’d expected it to be.  I’m so glad that I came and that I didn’t let my disability hinder my chances to experience something like this.