Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A global, educational, and thought provoking summer in London. Past Review

By (Business Administration and Management, Trinity University) - abroad from 05/25/2016 to 07/29/2016 with

Arcadia: London - London Internship Program Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself, my strengths and my weaknesses, and I learned how to grow upon those things and become a better version of myself. It was entirely worthwhile. I think with any study abroad program you learn and grow as a young individual.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My course was interesting and engaging. My professor was very passionate about the subject and pushed us for high-quality work. I learned a lot from the course.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Arcadia administration was always ready and eager to help anyone who needed help or had questions. They were very attentive and personable.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was in a good area and felt very safe. The single room was a good size for two people; we had our own kitchenette and bathroom. The laundry facilities weren't always working, but at least there were laundry facilities on site.

* Food:

Cooked for ourselves in our room. The food was good at Arcadia sponsored events.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Because we were in student housing we were with a lot of foreign students and all of our classes were with fellow Americans, it was difficult to get to know locals and make local friends. Our internships helped with that, but not to the extent that I hoped.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any health issues, but my roommate was sick for a few days. She was able to call the local healthcare and talk to a doctor over the phone who made suggestions for what she should take. Additionally, pharmacists were very helpful for finding the medication that you need. Very efficient healthcare.

* Safety:

I didn't feel unsafe in London. It is a rather safe city, especially during the daytime. However, it would be inadvisable to walk around the city alone at night. Stay in groups and keep your eyes open. If you are on your own, try not to make eye contact with people. Try not to look lost with your nose in a map. People will take advantage of people who look like tourists. Keep an eye on your bags and belongings in the Tube. Make sure you know what time the Tube closes at night and how to get home on the night buses if you are out later than closing time.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This program was perfect for me because it had one course and an internship. I learned a lot about the culture and people as well as invaluable experiences in the workplace.

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? About $150.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? London is an expensive city. $150/week was plenty for me to have a good time without being too extravagant. Fortunately, most museums are free and there are lots of free or inexpensive entertainment options. Also, take advantage of any "free" activities that your program offers. After all, you paid for them beforehand. Buying groceries and cooking at home is the best way to keep costs down. I made a sandwich at home to take to class with me every day. You are going to spend a fortune if you are buying lunch and dinner out every day. That being said, there is a lot of amazing restaurants and pubs. You're in London, enjoy these things when you can! Becoming a "local" at a nearby pub or coffee shop is a great way of meeting people.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Living in London
  • The people I met
  • Being able to both settle down in London and travel to other parts of the British Isles
* What could be improved?
  • Connections to locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how to become friends with locals. I wish this is something that I started doing from the beginning.

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 Urbanite
A 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.