I'd do it again Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/14/2016 to 12/17/2016 with
Arcadia: London - Queen Mary University of London
I learned I liked living abroad in a city. It was definitely worthwhile to meet new types of people.
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. |
Academically rigorous, depending on your study habits it can be quite intense. There is significantly less academic support unless you really went looking for it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Helpful and readily available |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
On campus housing in a suite style, with single bedrooms. It had multiple issues such as broken lights, broken heat, broken shower, hot water issues, oven issues, but it was also the cheapest student housing option. It's a 3 minute walk to a grocery store, 5 minute walk from public transport, and 2 minute walk from all on-campus classes. Shared bathroom in the suite and sinks in each bedroom. |
| * Food: |
The food is what you make of it as there is no dining plan. You cook for yourself. There are cafes on campus that you can pay for. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It can be difficult because due to the education system all the British students have all the same classes together. But it's doable if you make an effort. Joining student organizations helps. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The actual on-campus health center was not very helpful at all. But Arcadia will help put you find a GP if you need it and the international health insurance you are required to buy is quite good. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe even at night. That being said, London is a very metropolitan city. Use common sense and travel with friends. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I met really nice people, the academics were what I was looking for and the program administration was helpful. |
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 an expensive city. Living on a student budget is possible, but if you want to do touristy things or travel or go out AT ALL it's going to add up fairly quickly. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Anywhere you go, ask if they have a student discount. |
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? | How to get a sim card and how often I would actually need to use public transportation. |
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. |
