Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The student who went up a girl and came back a woman Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 04/16/2013 with

Brigham Young University: London - London Study Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
First and foremost I became more responsible. The program provided me with outlines and opportunities to be incredibly responsible with time, keys, possessions, and schedules. I came home and then took off again to visit my brother in New Hampshire. I found that I was one of the most responsible people on the trip. Second, the whole study abroad idea is to not let schooling get in the way of education, and this program did exactly that. Sure we have classes, but those classes only directed my curiosity and gave me some leads on how to fuel that curiosity and make it productive. Thirdly, I learned how to live with 40+ people in the same building. That seems incredible, but the dynamics were so different that it really took me all 3 1/2 months to get some sort of rhythm down with cooperating with everyone. But I did it, as did many other people. Was it worth it? As I declared in my "review title," it has been a major turning point in my becoming more independent and grown-up.

Review Photos

Brigham Young University: London - London Study Abroad Photo Brigham Young University: London - London Study Abroad Photo Brigham Young University: London - London Study Abroad Photo Brigham Young University: London - London Study Abroad Photo Brigham Young University: London - London Study Abroad Photo

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.

The world is now my campus.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Health care was so great in London. Also, the Princess Grace Hospital and Insta-care was awesome. Highly recommended.

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? For meals, go to grocery stores for the most part and then sometimes to pubs or other restaurants . . . especially when you're in the center of one of the largest, busiest, most popular cities in the world. Also, do not get sucked into the "YOLO" business that everyone talks about. Sure, you may only be in London (or wherever) once, but think: is the item you're about to buy only in London, or are you using that as an excuse to splurge on something?

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We were advised to blend in with the British people (i.e. turn down the loud American). When we went to France, we were again advised to use the short polite phrases we learned, and then to also turn down the loud American.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French 202
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Just do it. You're gonna have to use the language there, so you might as well work out the awkward kinks in the land where you understand the general language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The opportunities to share my testimony with the group and with others.
  • The tight schedules (that later made me habitually five minutes early)
  • The discussion-based/interactive courses I took that really helped me to remember the information that all the classes set out to teach students.
* What could be improved?
  • Some of the youth hostels that we stayed at were a little sketchy. But I understand that that's a question of funds, not so much of an arbitrary decision one way or another. But Scotland should probably be monitored. Blood on walls and sheets, and drunks knocking on doors in the wee hours of the morning.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to work the tube system. That pessimism is contagious and terrible for the whole experience (academically, spiritually, culturally, emotionally, grammatically).

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!