Education Abroad in London Past Review
By Alisa G (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., SUNY - Binghamton) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: London, England
I learned SO much about European culture and being on my own and traveling on my own. I would have never been able to have this type of experience anywhere else. I feel much more educated now that I am back at my home university
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Even though I'm glad I didn't have a lot of homework, tests, etc. (since I had an internship as well), I wish I was a bit more challenged academically. This made me wish I attended a non English speaking country, because at least then I would have left the program learning a new language. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The overseas program administration was very helpful and conscious of making our experience overseas a great one. They were always available to answer questions, and provided us with adequate information from day one. They also set up really nice events for everyone in the program to attend--dinners, football games, etc. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My housing was a very posh, new flat. It was a lovely arrangment, besides the fact that I had 2 flatmates instead of just one..which proved to be one too many. The rooms were very large, with hardwood floors and 4 bathroom for 7 of us. The flat was situated in a great area also, only two blocks away from the tube. My only complaint is that the individual apartments weren't together in our whole building like in other flats, so we were somewhat more secluded from each other then students in the other buildings were. <br /><br /> Very satisfied with the building and the apartment, not with the arrangement of people. |
| * Food: |
I didn't cook a lot in London, but the supermarket was really reasonably priced and good for quick meals (though food spoiled much faster so you would end up going to the store every other day.) I found affordable sandwiches, chicken, kebabs, etc. by my job and by my flat so I ate pretty well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
London was the best city to live in if you wanted to travel. I was able to find the most options for flights and travel compared to anyone I knew in other European countries. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe, even getting around by myself or with friends at night. Our neighborhood was safe, as was the location of our school. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent the 40 pound stipend plus another 20-30 pounds each week. Weekend trips cost an average of 100 euro minus the flight/hostel. I went out a lot however, and ate a lot of meals out as well. You spend a good amount each week to use your cellphone too. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Its always best to have a credit card with you for emergency mishaps during travel. In my host country I never had any emergencies really. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Expect that things won't go exactly as you planned. Learn to be patient because traveling is stressful at times, but in the end it is very rewarding. |
