London: A Beautiful Experience in a Beautiful City Past Review
By Jamie M (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft., Trinity University) for
IES Abroad: London - Theater Studies
SO worthwhile! I'll just say it's easily the best decision I've made in college.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES staff is highly capable and truly cares about its students. They go above and beyond to make things easy, to offer advice and opportunities around London, and to help out students (like when we all were delayed by snow, a staff member called the dorm for my family and booked the rest of my stay while I was making my way back from the airport). |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The IES dorm is in Chelsea--the nicest part of London. I always felt safe and the Tube and the bus were both closely located, so it was really easy to get around. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made a fabulous group of friends that I will probably have for life! IES also arranges frequent day trips as well as a few out of country trips--like to Scotland and Belgium--all of which I would highly recommend as great experiences! IES also provided opportunities to see shows and sporting events and trips to sights around London for a lower price, which was great. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I did not get sick, but had two friends who had to go to the ER and IES stayed with them and helped them through the whole process with minimal stress. |
| 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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Money to see shows! I did not budget enough at all. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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 |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you want to have all British friends, go somewhere else. I thought I wanted that, but the friends I made were so fantastic, and they still made such an effort to get to know the city that I don't feel I missed out on anything. I learned so much from London and the people there. It's a semester you will never forget! |
