Great opportunity to learn and live in the center of London Past Review
By Allie B (Pennsylvania State University - University Park) - abroad from 09/04/2013 to 12/14/2013 with
IES Abroad: London - Study London
As a result of my experience abroad, I gained confidence in my abilities to live on my own in a new place. I learned about London and the people who live in it, and gained a greater understanding and appreciation of British culture. I also had the opportunity to meet a diverse group of students from universities across the United States and got to know them well over the course of the semester. By enrolling in an outside course at City University, I was also able to meet local students and experience life at a British university, which was a worthwhile experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses I took at IES were very interesting, and the professors made it a priority to incorporate trips to relevant places in London as part of their courses. Most were graded on a midterm exam/paper and a final exam/paper. |
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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? |
The housing at Nido King's Cross was very new and clean, and was conveniently located about a 15 minute walk from the IES center. The staff at Nido were at times unaccommodating and difficult to deal with. |
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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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| 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) |
Groceries were not too expensive, but going out to do anything else in London, including transportation, is very expensive. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take advantage of local markets, like Borough market of Brick Lane, to buy cheap produce on the weekends, and cook as many of your own meals as possible so you have money to spend on other activities. If you need to buy any towels, toiletries, clothes, etc. after you're in London, go to Primark. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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 did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Although everyone always talks about what an amazing experience studying abroad is (and they're right!), the first few weeks of the program are probably going to be difficult and stressful as you adjust to a new environment. Don't get overwhelmed because you aren't immediately having an amazing time, by the end of the program, you won't want to leave. |
