Living in London--Away From Home, Yet Still Feeling At Home Past Review
By Sarah T (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Salem State College) for
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): London - The London Semester
I learned things I never would have realized back at home. Getting out of your comfort zone and diving headfirst into a place where cultural rapids collide cannot be described simply in a sentence, or even a novel. It is an experience, first and foremost. One learns about themselves while also learning about others simultaneously. Do it, is all I can say, and see for yourself. There are things out there that can't be learned on the web or in a book. Some things just have to be done to comprehend them. The magic of it is, is that no journey is the same twice.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There is much more responsibility placed upon the student at British Universities than as is the norm in schools at home. Students are expected to produce great amounts of work and to do a great amount of outside reading during the semester. Which is a good way to learn, after all. It is not that difficult, it is the same sort of tasks given at home, just the expectation is more concentrated on a few grades rather than the quizzes, homework, and attendance categories popular at home. The grades are mostly all academic. Participation and attendance don't factor in. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Proximity to classes was not a problem at all. I could get to the nearest lecture hall in three minutes. The housing for all students on campus varies greatly, so I can't say an overall general opinion for all of Roehampton University. But the housing was decent, never had any enormous, tremendous problems other than the regular little annoyances that come up with living with students, normally. It was just like campus back at home. |
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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: |
Security at Roehampton was very tight. I was not afraid on campus ever. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | For food shopping, I spent about 25-30 pounds a week. But I guess that would depend upon one's grocery habits. Meals gotten out and about can really add up quick, although one or two here and there aren't bad. They can range from 5 to 12 pounds. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Here in Europe, apparently, most credit cards are used with a chip that involves a pin. Swiping cards seem to be a thing of the past, and not everywhere excepts them. Make sure to have cash in your pocket!! |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student who would benefit most would be one that wants to have their eyes opened, and be willing to leave the little niche of their home world, eager to get out of your comfort zone and learn by doing. Being a student at a university that is known for it's international program is so great. I met so many people from all over Europe, and learned about religions and cultures that I never would have gleaned back at home in my own University. Being a fish out of water is so great. I eagerly encourage everyone to take on such an experience if they have the curiosity to try. |
