Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best three months of my life! Past Review

By (Journalism., University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 01/15/2014 to 04/26/2014 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: London, England

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Best three months of my life, hands down. I wish I was still there!! Working and living in London really sparked an interest in living abroad and I hope to return someday and live there for a few years.

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 had great professors while I studied with CAPA in London. I learned so much from my European Politics and Government course with David Edye and it really sparked an interest in European politics. The work was not overwhelming and it was manageable with my 20 hour per week internship. Understanding Modern Britain was excellent too and professor Mike Fosdal was awesome! Make sure to take classes where you go out and explore different parts of London!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The CAPA staff was extremely helpful and were always eager to help students. Anytime I had a question, they were always attentive and met my needs / answered any inquiries.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a flat with seven other students and had my own room. It was a 25 minute tube ride to work and a 30 minute tube ride to CAPA. Sheets were cleaned every week and we had our own dishes, laundry machines and a kitchen.

* Food:

You must purchase your own food throughout the duration of the program. My flat was conveniently located near various grocery stores, so I was able to purchase food and anything else for a very reasonable price.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I gained most of my cultural exposure when I was working at my internship. All of my colleagues were British and this was a great learning experience as to what it is like to work in a foreign country. I highly recommend doing an internship for this reason. Since classes and housing are with Americans, in order to get the most out of the program, you need to expose yourself to the British work environment. Plus, how many students can say they've worked abroad in another country??

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no issues with this during my time abroad, but CAPA staff always encouraged students to call them if there was a medical emergency.

* Safety:

CAPA takes security very seriously. At the beginning of the semester, an officer came to speak to everyone about safety in London. CAPA also has a 24 hour emergency line you can call in case of an emergency.

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? $120-$150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? London is expensive. Save your money for going out on the weekends, traveling and sight seeing. Don't eat out every day. Cook once in a while and you will be fine!

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?
  • Internship component
  • Transportation (unlimited access to the tube and busses in zones 1-3)
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had done research on what to do in London beforehand, that way I would have been able to see / do everything. Research London beforehand and you'll have a better idea of what interests you there. There is something for everyone!