Unbelievable Experience Past Review
By A student (English Language and Literature, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 09/12/2014 to 05/30/2015 with
API (Academic Programs International): London - University of Westminster
I have gained so much from this experience. I have met my future husband - which is pretty weird and crazy - and have gained a whole new future. I've also become even more independent and empathetic. I don't feel like I can really describe how much I have grown and changed because of all my experiences abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The education system is very different to that in the U.S. I really enjoyed the style of teaching and learning in England, as it is more about the student figuring things out for themselves. It also is less challenging in my opinion as it is not as rigorous, but it is still a quality education nonetheless. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
API did a decent job, although there is still room for improvement. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing itself was really nice, although I ended up moving out early on to move in with someone. However the people I was assigned to live with made the situation really unbearable - but this is not API's fault. |
| * Food: |
Food in England varies from shit to great, but it is all really expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Making friends with locals is difficult because you don't go to class often enough to meet people quickly. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
London itself is pretty safe, but be extremely careful if you go to any other countries. Especially less affluent places - I was robbed and so was a friend on just one trip. Watch your stuff like a hawk. |
| 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) |
London is super expensive. Even if you just literally buy food, it really is extremely expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200+ maybe more |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Get a job before you go and safe a LOT of money. Also eat out as little as possible. Drink at home if you do that sort of thing. Plan weekend trips as far in advance as possible. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I would have known how many huge extra expenses would be involved and all the trouble I would encounter. But these things cannot be foretold and it really would have just put me off to know these things before hand anyway. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
