London: A Great Cultural Experience in a City Full of People Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

At Roehampton University, the classes met only once a week for about four hours at a time. I took three classes while there, two of which were literature based, so that mean reading two books in a week since there was only one class meeting to discuss the works. I also took a history class there, as well, and the amount of work students are expected to do on their own is much more, I think, than here in the States in a more concentrated period of time. However, the teachers are there ready and willing to help any of their students accomplish an assignment. Attendance is not counted towards the ending course mark, so it is completely up to the individual whether or not they want to participate in the once-a week class. But I would recommend everyone to go to those classes that, towards the end, seem few and far between. It is so much more helpful in writing the papers that were the largest chunks of the grade at the end of the semester. For my history class, there was a paper and and a presentation at the end of the course that were the only elements used in consideration of a mark. For my English courses, just two papers were all that were required--no quizzes or tests to speak of (unless they were midterms or finals, like in some of the psychology classes my friends were in.). So there is much more "freedom" I'd say, for the student, but much more responsibility because of it. Yet, if one participates and judges their work lord accordingly, good marks can be received while leaving plenty of time for play.

On-site administration of your program

The University of Roehampton has a large body of international students from around the world that attend their school every semester, and Americans are definitely consist of a large portion. The school was very helpful in welcoming American students onto their campus, and giving us the chance to explore London and to let us know what fun events were around town and how to use public transportation in another country. If anyone had any sort of question, they were eager to answer it.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was housed in a dorm with freshmen, or "first years." It was not bad--freshmen are freshmen no matter what country they are in. With that said, I encountered the usual problems when living dorm style--dirty dishes piled high in the sink, spilled things in the kitchen, music sometimes being played too loudly. But overall, the rooms were one-per person, plenty of space, with a sink in them, so that was really nice. The shcool did have a "care package" that you could order online before arriving, and they were good about having a comforter, a bottom sheet, a pillow case, a small pillow, a dishtowel, a single set of silverware, plate, bowl, mug, glass, but NO BATH TOWELS! I thought there would be, but there wasn't, so I spent two days without one for the shower, using shirts, but not long after arriving, the school had us chaperoned to the nearest Wal-Mart style store (Called Asda,) so that problem was soon fixed. Other than that, I don't think there was anything else I missed. The other students who lived in the flat were really nice and eager to know me, and we became good friends, going out into London quite a bit. So it was great knowing local people so quick.

Where I lived, there was a kitchen in the flat, so, pretty much you'd cook your own meals if you stayed in. But fast food there is just like fast food here, no real surprises. London, though, is a great cultural mecca, so you can find just about anything you're looking for, and price ranges are all over the place. There are a TON of pubs about, so you'd get used to pub food (some better, some worse than others,) rather quick. Eating was really no problem--fast food deliveries to campus on nights where you didn't feel like cooking.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were two weekend trips organized by CIS that we were allowed to take without having extra spending, so they were included in the bill we already paid. At the time I went, there was a trip to Oxford (got to see that ancient University, and Darwin's finch collection!) and then there was also Stratford-Upon-Avon, birthplace of Shakespeare. Both trips were done by coach and a tour guide who knew so much about the area and everything around it. Then, there were also other trips offered by the program that we could elect to go on, (paying the required fee, of course,) and I am so glad I did them. I spent one weekend up zooming around Scotland in a coach, and then another in Wales. Both tour guides were excellent and knew their stuff, and I did not regret going on those trips for the world. Oh, yeah, and I was also in London during the time of the royal wedding, which was just incredible! To see everyone celebrating, it really felt like a true holiday. That was certainly a cultural even I'll remember for the rest of my life.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health related incidents, so I can't really comment on them, but, I guess one thing I might say is just be cautious about public transportation. Many people can get crowded onto buses or the Tube, so anything might happen. I never experienced anything worse than claustrophobia, but if you're not a people person, it may become something you'd want to avoid during rush hour. But usually people are courteous and nice out in public, I don't think I had anything bad happen ever.

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

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• Dorm

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• Local Students

• the freedom it offered, while yet still being there if you needed anything.

• Nothing that i can think of right now!