Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

In love with London Past Review

By (Public Policy Analysis, Trinity College) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/19/2015 with

IES Abroad: London - Study London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a greater sense of confidence and independence. London is a huge city, so not only did I have to embrace a new culture, I had to learn how to live in a fast-paced big city. I also gained a new sense of self and way to perceive the world around me. After being abroad, I can look through my world through a totally new perspective because I know the opinions of people who live in a cultural context completely removed from mine. For example, the gun control issue in America looks so much more intense after my time in London, where the police officers don't even carry guns.

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.

* 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

I really loved that IES gave us so much independence and freedom. I think it was because they allowed their students to have so much leeway that I really embraced my experience. By the end I felt like I was a local student studying in London rather than an American student just temporarily participating in a study abroad program.

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)

London is an inherently expensive city, so I would attribute the difficult with budget to that, not to the program

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? make a weekly budget

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
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • The independence
  • Variety of cultures in London
  • Easy travel
* What could be improved?
  • better communication between program and university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that it was not as easy to meet local students as I had expected. You really need to make an effort if you hope to meet British students your age, so I wish I had had that mindset going into the program.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.