A Bloggy Day in Londontown: Eliza Doolitle, Reimagined Past Review
By A student (Studio Arts, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/01/2013 to 06/07/2013 with
IFSA: London - University College London
A Englishman of a boyfriend (6 months and counting!). I learned stained glass at an oceanside retreat in Cornwall, I learned what it's like to be artist with absolutely no structure, I bound 6 books, I traveled to 5 countries by myself, I went to more museums than I have fingers and toes, I saw a bunch of shows on the West End, I documented every street I walked in Central London in red ink on my black and white map, I gained a quality of independence and confidence that no other experience could have given me. I think about my time in London every day.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I was at the Slade School of Fine Art at UCL--I did not find it particularly rigorous because it was a completely independent no questions asked no expectations of you sculpture studio program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
No complaints. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Exceeded my expectations. |
| * Food: |
Kosher lifestyle is much easier in the U.S.A., but I didn't starve! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I can act like a local anywhere in the world. The fact that they speak English in England made that even easier. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
N/A |
| * Safety: |
I saw someone get their phone stolen at a cafe. Be wary. Lookout for pickpockets. Fortunately I didn't get robbed, but you need to be mindful. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
I'd like to thank my parents for supporting my finances while I was living in the most expensive country in the world. I'm also not a spend thrift. It was hard to stay on a budget. Wait, there was a budget? |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Oh gosh. Between books (for pleasure), art supplies, Cadbury chocolate, hard cider and transportation....easily 200 pounds a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you want to save money, stay at home! I'm the wrong person to ask. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I have no advice to give to my past self embarking upon this journey. Everything I knew going into it was sufficient, the learning curve was not too steep, and any mistake I might have made was worth the trouble. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
