A Fast-Paced but Worthwhile Program Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/13/2019 to 04/26/2019 with
Boston University: London - London Internship Program
Very worthwhile. I have a better grasp on another culture and have learned to subdue my extroversion so as to fit in. I also got to travel quite a bit!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were very enlightening, because ALL of my professors were famous names in their field and were able to break down all the specialized language. All of them were very approachable and great at communication! My only qualm was the internship seminar class. I don't think many people can create a curriculum for this sort of thing that doesn't feel like a waste of time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of the workers were very helpful and cared about our well-being, but I didn't enjoy my experience with one particular person. He was very slow at his job and not good at responding. It was just worrisome when I needed my course credit form signed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housekeepers and maintenance staff were very quick. BUT I was very angry to learn that we needed to leave the dorms at noon the day after finals. It felt very inconsiderate. |
| * Food: |
This doesn't apply to the program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was very happy with my time in London. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
VERY safe -- which may be a turnoff for some students. But there was an issue with the front door in Sorbonne. Sometimes, I was unable to exit the building because of the card swiping machine and that is a real fire hazard, I must say. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program was VERY stressful at times because of the scheduling. I really wished that the internship phase was just 3 days of the week instead of 4, because full-time hours on top of two classes was very hard to get adjusted to. Plus, when Easter weekend came around, I was panicking constantly over finals. Assignments were heavily concentrated, and the only way I could complete everything was to sneak in homework during my internship hours. |
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) |
Kensington is just so expensive and the exchange rate is not in our favor. It was pretty stressful at the start, but then, I just had to accept that prices would always be a struggle. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Not really. Kensington is mad expensive. Just never buy drinks at bars too closeby to the dorms. Try not to buy souvenirs. |
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? | 0 |
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 would have avoided taking such an intensive course during the internship phase. |
