Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best experience of my entire life Past Review

By (University of Missouri - Columbia) - abroad from 05/18/2016 to 08/07/2016 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: London, England

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much from locals at work and in passing. I feel like I truly submerged myself in a different culture and it was fascinating to be a part of. It was easily the most worthwhile thing I've ever done and will probably ever do.

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.

I absolutely loved our British professor that was employed through CAPA. Most of our classes were field trips across the entire city of London and I feel like I truly learned so much this way. Richard was extremely knowledgeable about everything and it really made my experience great. Our Mizzou professor left a little to be desired and it was her first time teaching this abroad course.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone at CAPA London was extremely knowledgeable about everything involving the program and were eager to offer activities, places to eat, etc.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived at Conway Hall right out of Waterloo station and it was clean, modern and all-around very nice. I enjoyed my stay here a lot and the location was stellar.

* Food:

CAPA didn't provide us food during our time abroad.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt like a true local, especially with my internship at a travel PR agency. I absolutely loved walking to work every morning with the locals and riding the tube without saying a word. Nobody had any idea that I was actually American.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

There truly wasn't any point in the program where I didn't feel safe. CAPA ensured we were in a good neighborhood with security and I felt like London overall was very hospitable and safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I love love love London. I loved all the different aspects that this program offered and feel like I truly got the most out of it that I possibly could.

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)

Once I got over the initial urge to eat out for every meal, I found that groceries really saved a lot of money and made weekend traveling much easier. I would venture to say I spent about $100-150 a week.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan out where you want to eat out strategically. Also, keep in mind that pounds are worth more than dollars so it may look like you're only spending 10 pounds but it's actually about 15 dollars.

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 freedom we had
  • British professor
  • students I was with
* What could be improved?
  • Mizzou professor
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How fast the time would go.

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.