London internship: Life Changing Past Review
By Kristen S (Communication and Media Studies., Trinity University) for
Boston University: London - London Internship Program
YES
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Much much much easier |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program size was small, the teachers were available to meet with students, however, no one really wanted to since we were in class for such a large chunk of time everyday. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our housing situation was not enjoyable. I was in a room literally smaller than Trinity's dorm room with three other girls and one small bathroom that didn't have hot water. We were forced to share a kitchen with 20 other people on our hall and everyone was given a spot to keep our food in the cabinet and refridgerator. This was an issue and everyone got in fights about missing food. |
| * Food: |
Contorary to popular belief, London has amazing food and the Indian food was the best I have ever had. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The social programs offered through our University were very helpful for providing inexpensive opportunities to meet people in the British environment. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Our dorm had 24 hour security, we were constantly given updates about how to be safe, no one really experienced any problems. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. I literally spent about $500.000/week. Granted, I was going out to bars and clubs all the time, however, LONDON IS VERY VERY EXPENSIVE. The exchange rate is awful, it is important to remember to double the price of EVERYTHING. When you take money out of an ATM, you are slapped with a high fee. Additional travel is always incredibly expensive as well |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go grocery shopping, drink cheap wine, find the college spots, stay out of grocery stores in Kensington |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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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? | A driven student who wants to have a real work experience along with a cultural immersion should do this program |
