Semester at the University of Westminster Past Review
By Grace DeRidder (Columbia College Chicago) - abroad from 01/09/2016 to 05/28/2016 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): London - Semester at the University of Westminster
I learned the most amazing thing about myself is that I love getting lost. I love the feeling of getting lost in a new city, wandering around for hours until I know the streets like the back of my hand and found all of the hidden gems you never see in city tour book.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were great, extremely engaging and always reaching out to make sure everything during the semester, and after, was going well. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt incredibly safe in London. I always felt safe walking to classes, walking around in the city for photography projects, and going out on adventures on my own or with my friends. I never felt like I had to plan out where or when I was going or be extra cautious. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I fell in love with London and I would love to one day move back there so without a doubt I would definitely choose the program again if I could. |
Finances
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* 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) |
Budgeting was a bit stressful at times because you want to do everything and still eat, but at the end of the day it all works out. You just prioritize when it comes to all of the adventures you want to take, know your limits with your money, and then stick to it so you don't end up in the hole or feel like you are missing out. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Food, probably $20 a week and travel would vary between a simple day trip weekend for $30-45 to a full weekend trip for $200-300 (airbnb, flight or train, excursions, food etc) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Most companies (especially in Europe) offer student discounts so make sure you find the code or ask for the information. It's never a big percentage but a little goes a long ways. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I would have know how fast time was going to fly by. That even on a day where the weather may seem crappy and cold, or I may not be feeling all that great, get up and go out because it will be over before you know it. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
