Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Dream Come True Past Review

By (University of Iowa) - abroad from 06/11/2018 to 07/28/2018 with

IES Abroad: London - UK Today Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about becoming culturally aware. While people don't think there is a big difference between the US and the UK, there are differences, different ways of doing and saying things that I had to get used to. I gained more interpersonal communication techniques as well and becoming comfortable with doing things on my own. Some of my favorite days were the days I was individually able to explore!

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

* 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

The IES Abroad - UK Today program was amazing. Choosing to go to London was one of the best decisions of my life. IES made everything very easy from the start so I didn't have to go into the program with any confusion or worry. In the weeks before I left for London, the IES advisor for my program was excellent with answering my questions or concerns. I have always been a planner and they definitely made it easy. When I got to London it seemed so big and crazy, but IES helped me acclimate to it very quickly and soon the neighborhood felt more like home. The locations of my residence hall and classes were very centralized and easy to navigate. I took two courses with the IES program and had amazing professors for both of them. Both Professors were amazing and had such passion for the courses that they were teaching. My British Youth Culture class is easily on of the best classes I have taken in my college career. Throughout my time in London I always felt safe and like I was able to still be an adult and explore the city on my own. IES gave me the space I needed but also was always there if I needed advice on places to eat, cool sites to see, and how the world cup worked (among other things). I was able to travel through England and Europe with ease over the weekends with the other students in my program, it made it very hard to leave and come back to the U.S..

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? Only have a set amount that you are willing to spend, and go from there! It is makes it easier to budget!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • People
  • Place
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To not be so nervous! Everyone in the program is nervous at first! But the sooner you are able to open up to the location and the people you are with, the sooner you will be able to enjoy the experience.

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 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.