Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A cultural experience that I will hold dear for a lifetime. Past Review

By (BS Medical Laboratory Science, Austin Peay State University) - abroad from 12/26/2014 to 01/08/2015 with

CCSA (Cooperative Center for Study Abroad): London - London Arts & Literature Winter Session

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that the world is so much bigger than we realize, and that learning about other cultures and their histories is important to understand why American culture is the way it is. It's also very important to look at historically significant events at a different perspective than the one we are taught in American schools. I learned so much about England that I almost felt sheltered.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* 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?

* 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? Around £100 maybe.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat on the go, London has many cost-saving options that are also very healthy.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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?
  • Freedom to do what we wanted when not in class.
  • Taking trips out of London to see some of the smaller cities and countryside.
  • The freedom away from technology that seems to bog us down in the US. Obviously out phones didn't work, so it was a nice change of pace.
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing that I can think of immediately.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have listened when I was told not to pack as many clothes. I ended up buying so many clothes for very cheap that I had to buy a second suitcase just to get everything home.

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!