Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Tea-rribly Good Time! Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/13/2017 to 12/16/2017 with

Arcadia: London - Queen Mary University of London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I became more independent, more functional. I learned how to cook for myself and to navigate a strange city on my own, and it felt great.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was nice to have a single, but there were a number of small problems (mice, stuck drains, stuck toilets) capped off by a broken fridge that took almost two weeks to replace.

* Food:

I had the joy of cooking on my own for a few months. I really got to expand my repertoire, and when I didn't feel like making my own food London offered anything from ready meals to cheap takeaways to fine dining.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I answered neutrally because I never had any healthcare experiences, so I can't speak to the system at all.

* Safety:

London has a well-staffed police system, and the city seems pretty safe.

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

Arcadia does an excellent job of being a resource to turn to without becoming overbearing or stifling. I rarely had to turn to them, but when I did I was glad they were there. And London itself is amazing, with so much history to it and so many things to do.

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)

I wasn't able to live minimally by this metric, BUT I kept under the budget I had set for myself for the semester. And had I not bought tickets to travel for one weekend and another, I'd be even better off.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $265 (including $70 a week on food)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a spreadsheet! Keep track of every purchase you make, and break things down into categories. It's easy to mindlessly spend 5 dollars on coffee every day, but by writing it down it's easier to come to grips with and change.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The independence
  • Meeting new people, both Americans and Europeans
  • Pub Club!
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing, I was happy with Arcadia's program.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The discount-ticket booth in Leicester square only sells tickets up to two days in advance. I went there twice to buy a ticket before working that out.

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.