London: The Time Of My Life! Past Review
By CAITLYN N (Physical Therapy, Daemen College) for
AIFS London - Richmond, The American International University in London
London was definately worthwhile. My main goal was to travel as much as I could. Being in London and going to an international school was very cool because you met people from all over the world. I would love to go back and spend more time in London and touring Europe.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers in London don't give you much direction in papers and homework and expect you to go up to them and ask questions. Attendance is kept daily and you will get kicked out after skipping/missing a certain amount of classes. Most class grades are based on 2 or 3 exams/papers. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Classes in London are similar to Daemen in that the class size is small. The teachers have office hours in which you can go and ask questions/get help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt very safe were I stayed in Richmond,England. The main town was about a mile walk and had a lot stores you would need on a normal basis. The tube was about 1.2 miles away and there was a bus stop right outside the school. Classes were in the same building as the dorms. Upper Level classes were at the Kensington Campus where the class buildings were within .5 miles from the dorms. Richmond had some nightlife but Kensington was closer to the main nightlife area. Richmond & Kensington are dorm settings with a meal plan so no cookware was necessary. We bought food to eat because the meal plan was only breakfast and dinner mon-fri. There was only a microwave to make food, so we did eat out alot. I brought sheets with me, although Richmond gave you a set. Showers/bathrooms are down the hall but there was a sink in our room. |
| * Food: |
Richmond has dorm food like every other college and was unlimited until you cashed out. There were lots of yummy food places in Richmond. (Italian, Thai, bar snacks, everything you can imagine.) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I went to 8 other countries while studying in London and it was completely worth it. The school throws social events during the year that were also fun. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
London was very safe! The healthcare system is universal so it is very unlike the American health system. A friend was in the hospital for a week due to a sinus infection that spread to his eye. In American that would not have taken so long! If you get a cold over there the grocery stores/ pharmacies have all the medicine you would need. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Have enough money saved that you don't have to put yourself on a tight budget and miss out on all the possible fun you can have! The more outgoing you are the better off you'll be because you will make friends to go on trips with,eat, and go out with! |
