Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Mediocre Program, Incredible Internship Past Review

By (Environmental Studies., Villanova University) - abroad from 05/19/2014 to 07/12/2014 with

Boston University: London - Internship Program, Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My internship experience was incredible and definitely worthwhile. It related to my field of study and I was given significant responsibility even as a summer intern.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My situation was unusual because my home university provided a professor to teach our main academic course: The Making of Britain. However, the EUSA internship course was generally a waste of time. The professors were patronizing and seemed to think that university students could not competently write a ten page research paper.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

If you were lucky enough to be placed immediately in a strong internship and had no problems, EUSA was easy to interact with. However, they became very challenging to deal with if you actually needed help with a problem. I found there to be a general lack of communication, organization, and accountability within the staff. My concerns about the living situation were dismissed and not taken seriously.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My location was ideal: student housing right in the South Kensington/Chelsea area. However, I was very disappointed in the living situation. Community spaces were frequently dirty with vomit, spilled alcohol, and trash (due to disrespectful students and through no fault of the cleaning staff). The noise levels after midnight made it almost impossible to sleep, even during the week, and this issue was never addressed by EUSA or housing security. The laundry machines were perpetually broken.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

London is an expensive city, but I understood this when I chose the program. Most of us formed groups to prepare our meals in the community kitchens, and this helped us save money.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Minimum $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Group cooking definitely helped us save money, and many restaurants and stores offer student discounts if you have a student ID.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* 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?
  • Strong Internship Placement
* What could be improved?
  • Program Administration
  • Living Situation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think the most important aspect of studying in London is budgeting, and planning ahead. It was difficult to stick to a budget with so many wonderful opportunities (travel, shopping, theater, restaurants, etc.).

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!