Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Broken Masterpiece. But very worth it nonetheless. BYU UK Field Study Past Review

By (International Relations and Affairs., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/08/2012 to 08/06/2012 with

Study Abroad Programs in London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about the English, the diverse people that live in London, about the Church of England and Christianity in the UK, and about living alone. I loved learning about British Politics while I was there and I will always stay in contact some of the friends I made there.

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.

Wonderful because it allows you to build your own program. Difficult because the program has limited faculty support.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There actually wasn't any, beyond our own group and our program facilitator, who was one of us (she was good). That being said, I preferred it that way.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My facilitator found me a place and I loved it :)

* Food:

Not the program's fault, but food is just expensive in London. But my host family was wonderful and gave me food ;)

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Hard to be more immersed in the culture than being on a field study, and that is one of the strongest points of the program. But, finding a way to be more immersed is always difficult, especially with only 3 months.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

All good. I didn't get sick except for a cold at the end.

* Safety:

London is a pretty safe place. I had no problems

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

0.5 This is London we're talking about. Everything is expensive.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $195
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get the STUDENT OYSTER CARD!! Man, that would have saved me $250. Buy food at the grocery store and carry waterbottles and granola bars with you. Food is very, very expensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The freedom and the immersion in the local culture.
* What could be improved?
  • Better program structure for project and classwork while in the field. They left it pretty much up to us but that made it too hard. I did most my work in the last month.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? London is expensive and the Student Oyster Cards are the cheapest way to go. Buy Matilda tickets at 9 am for 5 pounds -- it's a huge deal. Plan specific deadlines on a schedule with your professors before you leave - don't leave it up to chance or just "decide later". Deciding later means deciding never (or just at the last minute, at which point the decision isn't very good).