Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Living Across the Pond Past Review

By (Business Administration and Management, University of Florida) - abroad from 05/20/2015 to 07/04/2015 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: London, England

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
During my experience abroad, what I learned the most about was probably myself. The program gives you so much time to do whatever you choose, it can show you more about who you truly are. For example, when an empty day presents itself (which I found many of), how you choose to spend it is up to you, and probably a few friends you've made along the way. Some of the best trips are unplanned ones, and I learned to not be afraid to explore. You never know what you'll find going on around Central London, so spending time becoming immersed within the city is the best way to learn about it. It also provides the opportunity to plan your program a bit differently, if you choose to do an internship. This can be very beneficial to some people and not so much to others, which is heavily dependent on what your major is. Overall, everyone seemed satisfied with their placement for their positions though. Getting experience abroad, while having a bit of freedom is what CAPA aims to give you.

Review Photos

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? 1 month - 6 months

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)

London isn't the cheapest place to live, and there were times I probably forgot about the conversion rate, but it becomes easier after time to get used to it.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $125-$200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try and plan everything out ahead, especially trips to places outside of London. Transportation becomes much more expensive as it becomes closer to time, and it can be frustrating when your options are limited to certain dates/times.

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?
  • Experiencing London
  • Flexibility
  • Location of CAPA
* What could be improved?
  • Student travel discounts
  • Interaction with local students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have planned ahead a bit more as far as traveling once I arrive, and other things to do within London. Going to the popular tourist spots can get old after a while, and it would've been nice to have something in mind already. You never know when a trip can turn into something a lot more exciting than you planned.

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 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.