Oh, the places you'll go!! Past Review
By Emma C (Finance, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 06/12/2015 to 07/24/2015 with
API (Academic Programs International): London - University of Westminster
I gained best friends, unforgettable memories, and valuable experience. If I could do it again, no question about it, I would. Not one penny spent do I regret. Every wrong train we got on, every warm drink, and every rude person was brushed off because of I was in a place I loved. Find a place you love and go there! Make friends with Americans and locals! I made friends with someone we all met at a bar 5 minutes from our flat, and he could possibly be getting me a job in London. This experience will mold into a totally different person! It doesn't matter where you go, it'll change you! Don't be one of those people who regrets not studying abroad, because it is the best thing I've ever done.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The educational experience took a back seat to the international experience of being in London for the summer. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
API was incredible advising me over educational matters and beyond. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was unbelievable! I shared a room with two other girls, but we each had the following: bed, bedside table, closet, and plenty of space! We had a fully accessible kitchen and common area equipped with a flat screen. The bathrooms were excellent as well with storage inside. My favorite part of the housing has that Acorn housing was a maximum 20 minute walk from class. We were close to Soho and Covent Gardens which made entertainment and dining out simple. |
| * Food: |
Food was not provided by the program so we ate out or made out own food! The food that University of Westminster provided at orientation and other events was not impressive at all. I think I ate a bite of a purely mayonnaise and tortilla roll up on my first day... |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Social integration was easier than I thought it was going to be. As long as you are respectful of their culture and willing to learn then you will have an amazing time in any foreign country! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health concerns, but I know people in my program who were sick and they were advised and were led to a quick recovery. |
| * Safety: |
For the most part I felt very safe. However, I will say that you should always walk with at least one other person in the evening. If you're alert and aware of your surroundings you will be okay, I promise! |
| 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 extremely expensive. In the states I could get a large lunch for $7-$8 and in London it's anywhere from the equivalent of $13-$14 no joke. I spent at least $300 a week and that was unavoidable especially if you want to go out on the weekends. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save all of your money!!! You shouldn't have to worry about budgeting when you're abroad! Get your plane ticket on studentuniverse.com and keep your luggage small. Trust me, you don't want to be the one who ran out of money and everyone else is having fun eating out etc. |
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 had saved more money!!! Take the maximum you'd think you need and DOUBLE it! Trust!!! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
