CAPA helped me fall in love with London! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found the classroom experience rather unchallenging. However, this was a good thing because I was not completely swamped when it came to studying, giving me a better opportunity to explore the city I was staying in and to take advantage of the surrounding countries. I do think the time required to be in classes was a bit much. Student participating in the internship program had close to the same amount of credits, but were expected to do so much more work and did not have as much time during the week to explore and enjoy all that London has to offer. The instructors seemed well-informed regarding their subjects, but the classroom environment was cramped and not enjoyable for learning.

On-site administration of your program

At any time when I had a question regarding insurance, mailing packages, receiving mail, or basic information about London, the staff was incredible and always available with great advice. Even after leaving the program, I contacted the staff for some documents and they were very prompt in getting them to me via email. Everyone was very friendly, which set up a comfortable environment when everything seemed so scary. Thanks so much to Kieran, Anderson, Katie, and Meghan.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I think it would have been much more beneficial for us to be integrated with other foreign students. I felt that I missed out on so much because I was always with other American students and it was difficult to meet people from London and other cultures, which is something I really looked forward to doing. While it was difficult to live in such close quarters with four other women, I found this beneficial because it challenged my patience and made me a better person. I do recommend they invest in more comfortable bedding because it was a long 3 1/2 months of coils sticking in my back. Also, I would have preferred to have some better cooking utensils, such as a baking pan and pans that did not stick to everything. The actual flat was in a great neighborhood, so I always felt safe. It really gave a feel for how space is limited in such a large city.

We were given a food stipend each week and expected to prepare our own meals. This was good and bad because it really limited what we were able to eat, especially because our kitchens were not well equipped.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was given many opportunities to travel around the United Kingdom and other surrounding countries, which was awesome. However, I originally thought my classes would be held on a London university with other international students and was disappointed at the lack of opportunities to meet non-Americans. I found the culture of London amazing and cannot wait to go back. The people at my internship were so friendly and I found the work environment so much more enjoyable than that in the United States. The people I worked with were instantly friendly, and I was amazed at their knowledge about world politics. They knew more about the United States government than me, which is almost embarrassing and yet a reason to get more involved. I also loved the pub culture. It's very different to have a few drinks at the pub and watch a football match, rather the typical college binge drinking late late at night. However, this is still to be found as clubs are open much much later, which was a shock in itself. I loved the extensive options for food, especially at grocery stores. There were types of cheeses and breads that would "break the bank" in American grocery stores. And the type of kiosks selling food in train stations were amazing: anything from sushi to baguettes. Other cultural opportunities of museums (which are free!), the amount of the theater, and the history was phenomenal and never-ending. A class I took gave us the opportunity to see roughly 6-8 plays, which was another great way to see other parts of London. Public transportation is A+, making me never want to set foot in a car again. The London metro transit has made transportation around the city so easy. I was also extremely impressed with the cleanliness of the public transportation. Although we experienced some times of strike, I never had an issue getting where I needed to be. The tube was prompt, quick, safe, and clean. I was never afraid to try and find a new place, and traveling later in the evening never felt unsafe. Although I often got lost wandering down streets, it was all beneficial to finding a new bakery or pub. I think it's all part of the experience of living in a big city. Something I was extremely pleased to find was the state of the streets in London. I have never been to such a clean looking city with its luscious green parks, beautiful statues, and lack of garbage in the streets. The amount of history in London was so overwhelming and I really appreciated the preservation of cultural history. Everything combined, London is definitely my favorite city in the whole world. The opportunity to travel was probably the biggest perk. I was able to visit Ireland, Paris, Germany, Amsterdam, and Belgium, not too mention the countrysides of Britain. These trips added so much more to my time abroad, giving me so much appreciation for other cultures and helped me to understand the United States a bit more.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any issues regarding health. I did lose a camera on the tube station and the metro police were extremely accommodating and helpful in filing a report.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment

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• Americans