Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My Time is London was Fantastic, Educational, and Unforgetable Past Review

By (Journalism, Communication, University of Massachusetts Amherst) - abroad from 09/05/2012 to 12/15/2012 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: London, England

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained new friends for life. I learned how to be more independent and yet more involved in the world around me. It was incredibly worthwhile.

Review Photos

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: London, England Photo CEA CAPA Education Abroad: London, England Photo CEA CAPA Education Abroad: London, England Photo CEA CAPA Education Abroad: London, England Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

CAPA classes are not difficult at all. The classes I took did not require any homework to be done or tests, just a paper due at the end of the semester.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff at CAPA were so friendly and really wanted to help us adjust to being a new country.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was surprised with the amount of space my 5 roommates and I had. Then again we did have one of the bigger flats in the building. A few things around the apartment were a problem. Our sofas were dirty, the showers overflowed at times, and

* Food:

We had to buy groceries and make food ourselves. But when we went out to eat, majority of the time, the food was good, just very unhealthy. Just don't expect the service to as good as it is in America.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

By the end of my time spent in London, I felt well integrated with the local culture. I knew where to go

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had little experience with healthcare. However, one night, my friends and I found a girl highly intoxicated on the ground of a bus stop. An ambulance never came to help her or us out. We had to put her on a bus and hope that she made it home.

* Safety:

I felt safe in London. We did stay away from the bad parts of town though. You do have to be smart although London is a pretty safe city. Stay together in groups but be aware that because you are in a group, pick-pocketers might try to take advantage of you.

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)

I'm terrible when it comes to money. London helped me improve. I learned how to better budget things because London is a very expensive city.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 40-60 £
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try not to eat out at restaurants all the time though it will be tempting. There is so much shopping to do in London so you really have to ask yourself "Do I need this?" And try to go out to bars and clubs early so you can beat cover charge.

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?
  • The tours/day trips offered
  • The Thanksgiving dinner
  • Tea at CAPA
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Learning Through Internships class
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew I would be spending more than I had expected to. Also, that someone may be gave me more tips on how to save money.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.