BU Internship Program in London Past Review
By FulhamFan (Political Science and Government., Tufts University) for
Boston University: London - London Internship Program
My experience was definitely worthwhile, though I felt a little shortchanged on the academic side; I'd have liked more focused teaching from the professors, and more discussion of the material rather than so much independent study; it almost felt as if we were required to do so much on our own time because the professors just didn't want to spend so much time in the classroom; the internship was by far the best part of my program and is really why I chose BU in the first place, and they didn't disappoint (for me or most of my friends I think); I strongly recommend this program for anyone looking for a great internship program
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The educational experience I had was mostly due to out-of-the-classroom learning; by watching television, reading newspapers and talking with coworkers, in addition to my classes, I was able to learn much more in my semester than I had anticipated |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administrators were easy to contact, meet and talk with, both in Boston and in London |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived at 14 Queen's Gate in Kensington (near Hyde Park) in a dorm that was converted from an old hotel (The Crofton, also the name of the dorm). Living arrangements varied among doubles, triples and quads, shared kitchens and bathrooms in each room. <br /><br /> It was amazing - big kitchens, private bathrooms, great location, good-sized rooms. |
| * Food: |
N/A |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
BU provided us with very easy and cheap access to day trips, the theater, football and rugby matches and other performances; they constantly urged us to get out and about and see the city at day and night, and were very helpful in suggesting ideas or helping us make plans; the day trips offered were to Stonehenge, Bath, Cornwall, the Lakes Region and Wales; some were for a whole weekend, some just for a day, but all of them were very well organized and provided lots of things to do and see |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
London is mostly very safe, and is especially so in Kensington; Londoners in general are very concerned with personal safety and so the police are around all the time; as far as healthcare was concerned, were were given information about doctors in the area to see for various illnesses (ones particularly familiar with the BU program) so as to avoid having to deal with the intricacies of the National Health Service |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Appx. £75 ($150) a week on food, Tube fare, etc. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Because of the exchange rage, everything was extremely expensive; it was just one of those things you couldn't avoid and had to make the best of; without a meal plan, buying groceries and going out were the only ways to eat, and it was tricky to do so cheaply |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
N/A |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | No words of wisdom really, but it's a fantastic program; BU does a really good job acquiring internships (both high-profile and more low-key) for the students, and for that alone, I think this program is worthwhile |
