The best semester you could ask for Past Review
By Daniela C (Biology, General, Trinity University) - abroad from 09/10/2014 to 12/13/2014 with
Arcadia: London - Queen Mary University of London
I definitely learned how to adapt to other areas of academics since I did not take a single class towards my major. I also gained insight into the culture in London. Probably the most important, I learned to be independent; London gave me the opportunity to just go out and do something whenever I wanted. Anything and everything was just a tube or bus ride away so you have nothing holding you back from anything.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Very manageable workload, university provides lots of resources to help you in class, and seminar leaders were all very approachable and helpful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
QM study abroad department was a bit slow with class/module emails which can be frustrating at first but then you realize the amount of work they have and how different the higher education system is in the UK. Forgive them for the late email replies and just be patient, it will all work out in the end. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was excellent, the rooms are much better than the ones in some other universities in London. I lived in Feilden which had ensuite rooms so that was very much appreciated. The lift though was always broken and it got a bit annoying to have to walk up and down seven 7 flights of stairs when you do laundry. |
| * Food: |
I did not buy a meal plan and instead bought groceries at the store. There's a Sainsbury's right in front of the Queen's Building and a Tesco a couple of blocks away in the opposite direction (towards the tube station). You can take the bus to the big Sainsbury's in Whitechapel or the Tesco near the London Royal Hospital to save some money on food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't find it hard to make friends with British students, living in the same flat as regular, full time QM students also helped a lot. Everyone I met was very kind and open. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The person at the front desk in the health services office was not very helpful. |
| * Safety: |
I almost always felt really safe walking around London and using public transportation. The only time I didn't was when I had to take buses back to campus after the tube stopped running but starting this year several of the lines that take you to Mile End will be running 24/7. The area where QM is located can be a bit dodgy sometimes but you feel perfectly safe on campus. |
| 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) |
Public transportation is pretty expensive as is pretty much everything in London so be prepared to spend more than 100 pounds per week, especially if you like eating out. |
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? | There will be so much to do in London that you won't have time to do it all. Pick the things you really look forward to doing beforehand so that you make sure you do the most you can. |
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. |
