New friends, new places, learning new things and loving it all! Past Review

By (Elementary Education, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 06/23/2012 to 08/11/2012 with

Brigham Young University: London - London Study Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definately worth while!! I learned alot about myself and the direction I wanted my life to go. I made lifelong friends and learned alot about British History and Literature. It made me a more intellegent person and a more experienced person. As much as I disliked the critism, because of my professors my writing improved. I loved every second of it and wish everyday that I could go back and do it again!!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Sometimes I felt that the British History course was a bit to rigorous. But overall I learned alot!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved the London Centre. It became my home!

* Food:

Tiace and Alvero are amazing!!!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

we didn't have any health issues.

* Safety:

I felt very safe. There were a few incedents with pick pocketing, but it never happened to me. Just be smart and make sure to keep an eye on your stuff!

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50-$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shop for clothes at primark, they are cheap! Eat the food they give you so you aren't hungry later. Don't stress too much about money though. You're only in London once (YOLO)!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • All the friends that I was able to make through the program. The people I lived with became my family! (Including my professors! They were great!)
  • I was able to learn alot from the classes and professors and being in London made the information we were learning about in the classes much more meaningful.
  • I loved being in new place and being able to explore new places with new people!
* What could be improved?
  • Gives us more time to learn from being in London than in learning in the Library and classroom.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew not to bring hair appliances (blow driers, straightners, curling irons, ect.) because even with a converter they melt or explode. The space they took up in my suitcase was not worth it. Bring bandaids! Also, don't worry about not having enough free time. You have plenty of time and opportunity to do what you want to do. Don't stress about that (I did). And chances are if you want to do something, somebody else wants to do it too! Don't be afraid to ask.