Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Semester for Learning About Myself Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/01/2013 to 06/07/2013 with

IFSA: London - King's College London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a ton about myself. I became even more independent and comfortable with myself and my ability to live in the world. I missed home, but I also learned not to be scared of graduating from college because the tools I have learned at Brandeis will be applicable no matter where I end up in a year.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

King's is known to be a fantastic school, but I found the first year courses very shallow and not particularly informative. Some of the third year courses, however, were very interactive.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Orientation was helpful because it existed and I was glad they provided trips throughout the semester, but I wish the orientation had been slightly more informative/helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved the area of Hampstead even though it's very far away from central London (about an hour commute), but living with freshmen can be really difficult once you're out of that phase of your life. However, I was glad to be in a dorm setting because I think it was the only way I was able to really make friends and being in a dorm with British freshmen allowed me to actually have British friends.

* Food:

There's definitely good food in London, but you really have to work to find it.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

I never particularly felt unsafe in London. It is a major metropolis, so you do have to keep your wits about you, but that's mainly to avoid things like petty theft. That being said I never had any problems and you can generally avoid it as long as you're being street-smart.

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)

London's just a very expensive city, and with the conversion rate, things like transportation and food really add up. It was totally worth it, however.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to limit the amount you go out and how much you buy when you do. However, you have a limited amount of time in this amazing city, so accepting that you are going to spend more money than you're comfortable with is I think an important part of the process. You generally just have to try and block it from your brain.

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

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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 location
  • The people I met
  • How it helped me grow
* What could be improved?
  • Orientation
  • Support Services
  • Communication with faculty/administrators
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Just how much money I was going to be spending this 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 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.