Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The International Experience of a Lifetime Past Review

By (Political Science, The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 09/03/2015 to 12/21/2014 with

FIE (Foundation for International Education): London - Study and Intern Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to live independently and not be afraid to travel to a new and unfamiliar place alone. I became much more open-minded in terms of other cultures and ways of living. Although London is a mega-city just like the one I grew up close to (New York City), living in the center of a place with such a vast array of culture was eye-opening. Also, traveling to eight other countries whilst abroad was an incredible experience.

Review Photos

FIE (Foundation for International Education): London - Study and Intern Program Photo FIE (Foundation for International Education): London - Study and Intern Program Photo FIE (Foundation for International Education): London - Study and Intern Program Photo FIE (Foundation for International Education): London - Study and Intern Program Photo FIE (Foundation for International Education): London - Study and Intern Program Photo

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?

* 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? Yes

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150-$200

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The location
  • The variety of places the students were from
* What could be improved?
  • Assimilation to other students in the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that the program hosted groups of students from other colleges with between 20-190 people in each group. We only had 4 students from TCNJ and we did not know each other, so although I am outgoing, assimilating into other groups of college students was a challenge and it took longer than expected to find friends. I think that mixing up the living quarters a bit would have helped this problem, instead of rooming all the students from the same school together.

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 Urbanite
A 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.