Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

London & Queen Mary University Past Review

By (History/English, Trinity University) - abroad from 01/01/2012 to 06/08/2012 with

IFSA: London - Queen Mary, University of London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think that I became more confident because of my experience abroad. I learned an incredible amount about myself and an array of new skills. I feel that I grew into myself as an adult by taking this step away from my parents and familiar circumstances.

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.

I didn't find Queen Mary as rigorous as my home institution, but it does have an excellent library and other resources you can take advantage of.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Honestly, we were so far away from the Butler offices that I hardly ever saw them. I feel it would have saved me money to have skipped the program and direct enrolled at Queen Mary. When the staff was around they seemed to know what they were doing.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The flats on campus are not high quality or even very large, but they were incredibly convenient to live so close to school

* Food:

I chose to cook all my own food because it was cheaper, but you can pay the university and eat on a meal plan at the cafe. I wouldn't suggest it - all of my flatmates got by doing their own cooking too.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I didn't spend that much time in the East End; instead I took a lot of trips into central London for various things. The area is worth exploring at least once thoroughly because it is pretty interesting.but I didn't meet that many people outside of University.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health issues, but I think there was some kind of health services on campus

* Safety:

This is London's East End. Some areas are kind of skeevy and not someplace you want to walk home alone late at night by yourself. That being said I never had any problems; be aware when you're drinking and be extra careful

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 is expensive, but if you budget you can live without spending too much. The initial cost for outfitting my dorm & books was the biggest amount I spent but after that it was really just groceries and public transport fare.

* 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? Between $60-85
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get yourself a pay-as-you-go oystercard for the Underground first thing. Cheap cellphones that you buy minutes for are also pretty handy rather than buying a plan.

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 city
  • Ability to travel
  • My classes
* What could be improved?
  • Contact with program staff
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Mostly just practical things like where to buy particular items or how processes differed in Britain than from the US. You don't think about really basic things like how you do laundry or get from one place to the next until you don't know how to do them anymore. I've never used the Underground before in my life before coming to Europe so that was something it took a few tries to get right.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!