Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Equal Parts Challenging and Fulfilling Past Review

By (Political Science and Government., Providence College) - abroad from 09/21/2011 to 06/30/2012 with

IFSA: London - London School of Economics

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The experience was definitely worthwhile. I learned how much I truly love London! I cannot wait to go back. The city of London had everything I could have ever wanted. I also realized that I'm someone who likes the comforts of home, and familiar faces and settings. While I loved living abroad, I was homesick more than I could've anticipated and missed my friends, families, and home university more than I had imagined!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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? No

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 80 pounds

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
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International 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 London School of Economics was incredibly challenging, but also rewarding. I learned a great deal at the school and enjoyed British culture.
  • The IFSA-Butler staff in London were great. They were consistently helpful and willing to go out of their way to make the students' time enjoyable.
* What could be improved?
  • Options for affordable housing, and greater access to tips and tricks for affordable living in London would have been useful.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I was more aware of the academic differences between the U.S. and the U.K. It took me a great deal of time to get used to the U.K. system of education, and I wish I had researched more before it was too late.