Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

CAPA London - great experience Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Massachusetts Amherst) - abroad from 09/04/2013 to 12/14/2013 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: London, England

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My semester in London with CAPA has not only been the best semester of my life, but the overall best experience of my life. Studying abroad forced me to step out of my comfort zone and from that I have become a more adventurous, mature and independent person. I now have this unsettling hunger to travel and learn about different cultures. My internship abroad taught me so much and I gained skills like adapting to new work cultures.

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.

I learned a lot in the classes and they had awesome professors. The course load wasn't bad at all. Each class was once a week.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

From the second we got to our apartments, CAPA was there to help. They really eased us into the transition process. They held orientations to get us acquainted with the city and classes and to get to know one another. Throughout the semester all of the CAPA staff were helpful and easily reached if needed but they didn't smother you if you felt you were comfortable with the transition.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The living situations varied. I was happy with mine, I was walking distance from CAPA and a tube station was up the street. The flat was also located in a popular area with many stores and restaurants.

* Food:

We didn't receive food through CAPA but I found the food in London to be great. Of course it's going to be different from home but there are so many options.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Although classes are with all American students, I felt that we were fully immersed into the British culture especially through the internships. Doing an internship taught me how to adapt to a very different work culture than our own. CAPA holds "My Educations" which are like free field trips that are specifically aimed at getting all of the students immersed in different aspects of the culture that we may not have thought of on our own.

* 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)

The dollar to pound exchange rate was not in our favor at all. You really have to be cautious of your spending. I spent most of my money of food and travel.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I went in the fall which was helpful because I was able to work and save my money all summer.

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 internship
  • There was assistance if we needed it but they didn't smother us
* What could be improved?
  • Some of the housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to better save funds

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.