Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Incredible Opportunity Past Review

By (Magazine Journalism, Drake University) - abroad from 01/08/2014 to 05/02/2014 with

Central College Abroad: Study Abroad in London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned the most from my internship. I believe I gained incredibly valuable knowledge about tolerance toward business custom around the wold.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

Very minimal interaction with the local culture. In fact, the only Brits I met were my intern coordinators and the program directors. I would have liked the opportunity to take classes with students who are from the U.K.

* 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? No

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)

I don't believe this is any fault of the program--London is just a very expensive city, and I knew that going into the program.

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? Not necessarily money-saving: It's okay to spend money. If you're going to London, you MUST know that the exchange rate from USD to GDP is very bad and the city itself is quite pricy. Several students in my program decided to starve because they refused to spend money on food that would cost "half the price" in the U.S.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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
  • School assignments
  • Types of courses available
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Interaction with locals
  • Too many large group activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Look for more opportunities to interact with locals.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!