Can I go back? Past Review
By A student (Finance, Financial Services, Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 01/06/2015 to 04/18/2015 with
IES Abroad: London - Study London
I learned so much about myself on the trip. I am much more aware as a person, my sense of direction has greatly improved and I'm more comfortable outside of my comfort zone!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really had a good academic experience. The courses weren't too difficult - pretty on par with American standards although substantially more writing. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES staff were awesome. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was fine, although they charge you if you get locked out more than twice which is stupid. |
| * Food: |
We cooked ourselves, but also when we did go out to eat the food was great. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It's not that I felt I wasn't integrated into the culture, but I will say I felt as though I didn't meet many students that weren't studying abroad in London. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had a close friend who needed surgery twice after a weird infection and tonsillitis (by no fault of the program) the IES staff was incredibly helpful and caring and I know her hospital stay was an easy process. |
| * Safety: |
You're in a big city, but I felt much safer than I would in the States. |
| 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) |
I felt a little poor after the costs of the program and Penn State charging me. Actually living as a student is not terrible if you keep in mind London is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in and the dollar to pound conversion is not in your favor. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | All said and done I spent roughly $360 a week (this is my total expenses averaged out over the trip) realistically on food transportation and entertainment (again averaged out) it was a little over $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Frankly drinking is expensive, and if you're going to do it buy at the grocery beforehand. Buy rail passes in the 3 month option. And accept the fact that if you study abroad in London it will be expensive - and worth every penny (or rather pence) |
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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| 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? |
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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? | How fun study abroad is so that I could do another semester! |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
