United Kingdom Trip Fantastically Broadens My Horizons Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was not difficult, but interesting enough to make me think about the topic of the class - Jack the Ripper - and still enjoy what I was doing. I didn't notice too many differences, other than the method of grading and taking an exam based on written essays rather than multiple-choice. My teacher was particularly nice and willing to chat before and after class, which I found excellent.

On-site administration of your program

I was quite impressed by the tour guides and the well-planned and well-scheduled weekend trips. However, the London personnel did an awful job communicating with their staff who were giving us tours in the city - the list of names of those who had paid for the excursion was completely wrong! The program blamed this confusion and others on the fact that their office was moving, which is a lame excuse.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The neighborhood didn't seem like the best at first glance, but I never had any problems. It wasn't close to class, but was very close to the appropriate transportation. I had sufficient bedclothes but hardly any cookware and only one sharp knife. I didn't have any particular problems with the kitchen, though. The towel provided just rubbed towel bits off on me, rather than drying me. The shower broke partway through my stay, so I had to make do with baths and really awkward use of the shower head.

I enjoyed the food immensely, and liked the recommendations.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The weekend trips were all memorable to me, including trips to see Tintern Abbey, Stonehenge, the castle and Roman ruins in Wales, the Roman baths in Bath, and the cities and towns we stopped in. I also thoroughly enjoyed our visits to three pubs as we made our way across London itself. The Jack the Ripper tour was fantastic, and the London Eye experience was pretty cool.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had neither health nor safety problems while on this trip. I recommend that students pay attention in London, and be smart about when they are walking around and where they store their money/wallet, but I rarely felt like I could potentially be in danger. I traveled alone basically everywhere, and had only one issue, which I thought was pretty good.

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

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• Americans