Lving in Europe: Not as Difficult as New Age Travel Blogs Make it Seem Past Review
By A student (University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/08/2016 to 05/28/2016 with
API (Academic Programs International): London - University of Westminster
I learned I was capable of much more than I initially gave myself credit for. Travelling alone and visiting foreign countries was something that nearly came naturally to me, and I now know I can handle a lot of activities that would have greatly intimidated me before. I was also able to receive a hands on learning experience by visiting cultural heritage sites and museums to learn about subjects I was interested in.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Overall, I found the lack of coursework compared to University of Hartford to make the courses I took less difficult than what I am used to in my home university. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The API program mentioned in orientation that any health problem could be addressed at a walk-in clinic, however, in late March I became jaundiced due to a viral infection and had to be admitted into a hospital; afterwards, we found that the healthcare system was practically impossible to navigate without being registered with a general practice in England. In the future, I think API should tell students that it may be worth at least considering registering with a general practice, so that they are more easily able to attain hospital records if they are admitted into the emergency room. |
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Having lived in England and traveled around Europe, if I could study abroad again I'd still choose to live in England. I also had several friends who were in London-based study abroad programs, and comparing our experiences, I am extremely happy I picked API; their program placed my apartment in a great, central area that felt very safe, gave me the most free time by allowing me to pick my class schedule, and lasted longer than most other programs, so I am very satisfied in my choice. |
Finances
|
* 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-$150/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cooking at home saves a lot of money, and some restaurants have certain days where they offer discounts (sometimes 50% off) for students. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | While it is not necessary, having a general practioner in England is something that should be suggested to any study abroad students, in case they are ever admitted into the hospital as I was. Paperwork from the hospital has to be transferred to a British doctor, so it complicated my own trip to the hospital unnecessarily. |
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.' |
