Studying Abroad in London Changed My Life! Past Review
By Sofia M (Human Communications, Southern Oregon University) for
GEO: London -Study Abroad Programs in London
I have lived in Europe for more than half of my life, so it's more home to me than anywhere in the U.S. However, this time abroad I didn't have my family and I became independent, more confident, and learned a great deal about myself. I love what this program did for me and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Through descriptions of classes and initial meetings there was nothing that stood out to make these classes seem very different from the classes at home but eventually learning through action became a pattern. We were learning the same things we would have at a stateside university but being in London we were experiencing what we learned; attending the National Portrait Gallery, The Tate and many more art galleries in museums for an art history course, taking a Charles Dickens and Mrs. Dalloway walk whilst reading the novels for an English novel course, seeing plays at amazing theaters at least once a week and all for free as part of a theater course, being allowed to go and sit in at the Mayors Question Time and the Scottish Parliament Debate and House of Commons debates for British politics! All of the classes were beyond imaginable, they were amazing! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff were helpful, friendly, lively, and all around fantastic! If I had a problem or a question it would be attended to and I would receive more help then I may have needed, absolutely wonderful people! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom was truly a mother figure replacement. She made me feel comfortable immediatley, always eating dinner with me and spending time during the day to talk about ourselves and our days. She was a lovely person, providing everything, food, completely equipped room, and she always made it clear that I could ask for anything if needed. The one downfall to a host family is the proximity to central London, I spent about 3 hours a day on the tube just getting into the city and back out. That made it difficult to make plans to go in and meet others, of course it was always worked out but it would have been easier and nicer to be closer to the city. |
| * Food: |
Eating out in London is extremely expensive but everything I ate was well worth it! If you want to have a cheap dinner out always go to a pub near a university, The Rocket by Kings Cross Station has amazing deals and fun people! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everything was so fun and amazing! Truly one of the best times of my life! |
|
* 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) |
|
Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It's always hard to choose a program, they all seem amazing but unfortunately we can't do them all. However, London is in a great location to branch out all across the rest of the isles and Europe. Plus, London is a city known for being an hub for the rest of the world! |
