Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Good way to experience London Past Review

By (Creative Writing., Knox College) - abroad from 01/08/2013 to 04/20/2013 with

IES Abroad: London - Study London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I discovered I could live and thrive in a big city, be self-sufficient, and become comfortable in new or uncomfortable situations.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Very challenging, a lot demanded from professors

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Really enjoyed living with a lot of other international students in central London

* Food:

Cooked for myself

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The way the program and everything else is set up, you are largely interacting only with other Americans on the program, which can be disappointing. But administrators also encourage a lot of participation in local events and social scenes.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have personal health experiences, but my friends who did were treated very well and promptly under the program's health insurance. No special vaccines or other concerns.

* Safety:

Living space and classes were located in very safe, comfortable neighborhoods. Nothing more than a little caution for pick-pocketers necessary.

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)

Very high cost of living in London, but workable financially if you make smart choices about cooking for yourself and getting Tube passes.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Approx $150/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook healthy meals for yourself, find good deals at the markets, and look out for coupons and student deals for theatre and other events.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Fieldtrips
  • Living situation
  • Freedom to travel
* What could be improved?
  • More intermingling with locals
  • High cost
  • Class workload
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that the academics would be as challenging as they were, and to keep an open mind about the people I met.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.