Working, Living and Going Out in London Past Review
By Isidora Filipovic (Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/04/2016 to 12/15/2016 with
Boston University: London - London Internship Program
I think it was very worthwhile. I made friends that I traveled the world with and I experienced living in a city that, though it is fairly culturally similar to the US, has distinct differences.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
None of my classes required a lot of work, but I felt that I learned things abroad, especially about the British economy and european capital markets, that I would not have had access to at my home University. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Okay, some things they could have been more attentive and understanding of (such as traveling). |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great housing situation. Big rooms, a nice common kitchen area and lounges. |
| * Food: |
Not really applicable since the program did not provide food. I grocery shopped for myself and ate out a decent amount. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had barely any interaction with locals (apart from clubbing and bar scenes) until I was placed at my internship. After that I was very satisfied with the amount of cultural integration I experience. My coworkers always invited be for drinks after work, and lunch during work so I feel like I got a real sense of the work culture in the UK. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There was a doctors office right next door that took our student health care which was incredibly convenient and assuring. |
| * Safety: |
I personally never felt unsafe. Though London is a city, the program's cite was in a VERY safe location. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would probably go to a country where I dont speak the language in order to challenge myself more. |
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) |
Living in London is expensive. Going out in London is even worse. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 200 sterling. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Pregame. A lot. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I knew that my program would not really allow me to meet British people. |
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. |
