Great growth, different program Past Review
By Kendall (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 01/03/2017 to 04/15/2017 with
Arcadia: London - Arcadia in London
I gained tough skin and how to be more independent.
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. |
Not clear what they wanted, blamed it on cultural difference rather than explaining |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Poor, and usually aggressive when it came to a miscommunication |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Gave one week prior to program started, constant construction that disturbed my learnings and sleep. Also, super far away from school and central London |
* Food: |
Irrelevant |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Spent most of my time commuting to class, and traveling on the weekend. Didn't have much time to feel integrated in the culture. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Went to the doctor, got birth control and help with some pains. |
* Safety: |
Felt safe in my neighborhood and at school. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
The structure of this program needs a lot of work. I spent months planning ahead of time, and staying in constant contact with my advisor abroad. I was unaware and blindsided by many things such as the tube expenses, which the program came off as they were paying for. This was a $400 unexpected expense. That was just one of the many issues Arcadia needs to troubleshoot. |
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) |
|
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget before hand |
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? | 0 |
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? | That it would have many surprises, and come with a larger budget. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |