Roger Richardson, director of international relations of the University of Winchester in England, is visiting Eastern this week to speak with students about studying abroad at the University of Winchester.

Richardson said the city, founded about 2,000 years ago by the Romans, has less than 6,000 students, which according to Richardson is “a good size for students to feel at home.”

The university, which does not only teach students, but allows students to perform research, has offered over 40 years of experience in hosting American students.

“We’re not experimenting with all of this; we’ve done it for so long,” Richardson said.

While speaking with students in their classes, Richardson gave presentations Monday and will continue to give presentations today on studying abroad in general and specifically studying abroad at Winchester University.

“Winchester academically has a very strong university for students to come to and feel challenged,” he said.

Richardson said studying abroad and getting the international experience is an invaluable experience that will help students get better jobs in the future.

“I’m trying to arouse interest in the program by going into as many different classes as possible,” Richardson said.

Like American colleges, schools in England like the University of Winchester, have lectures, but small group discussions are also part included in the learning experience.

“Smaller situations are intended to encourage student centered learning,” Richardson said.

By meeting in small groups, Richardson said students would get the chance to interact with each other instead of just listening to lectures.

Other differences, Richardson said, are not having tests or multiple-choice questions.

At the University of Winchester, students focus more on performing research and writing papers.

Richardson said American students have commented on how doing more research and writing while at Winchester helped prepare them for graduate school.

Richardson said students might be surprised to see familiar restaurants like Pizza Hut, McDonald’s and Starbucks while studying at the University of Winchester.

Sam Bohne can be reached at 581-7942 or shbohne@eiu.edu.