London's Bittersweet: Challenging yet Rewarding Past Review
By Whitney B (Political Science: International Relations, Tulane University) for
INSTEP: London - Institute of Economic and Political Studies
It was a worthwhile experience in that it changed me as a person by making me more independent. Nevertheless, I really wish the program was more integrated with other students so I could enjoy my study abroad more because it became draining to always be self-reliant. But I loved London a great deal, and I expect to live there for some time in my life after I graduate so I could really experience being a Londoner rather than an observer from the outside looking in. As far as academically, this program is wonderful, the professors are thought-provoking, intelligent, and I had a great deal of fun picking their brains. Because of this semester, I will be pursuing a career path in politics and I will be applying this fall to London School of Economics for graduate school in the field of International Relations.
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Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | London School of Economics |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This was my most challenging and stimulating semester in college. The high caliber of the professors was extremely opportune, and I felt lucky to be picking their brains in such small classes of 2 or 3 people. I can honestly say I learned the most in this short semester than I have in my entire college career. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Rarely saw our host, and it seemed that any time we had a problem as in with our apartment he would tell us to contact someone else who never followed up. For instance, we had rationed internet access, and when the sole workload of the program is essays and writing papers that need research how can you possibly research when the internet access is limited? Our host was a nice guy, but he never got us the internship that he led us to believe was part of the program and he was very disorganized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very dissatisfied with our housing. Not only was our apartment horribly ugly and rigid, but it was located in a very quiet area North London a mile away from the nearest tube station. Also, with a set up so distant from our school, the least our program could have done was paid for our Tube pass. Furthermore, it felt very alone with just 5 other people. The program could have been a lot more enjoyable if it were in a dorm with other international students in a part of the city closer to central. We all worked really hard during this semester, and it would have been nice to have some outlet for our hard work by hanging out with other students, or if the program held a trip or anything. Academically the program was great, but there could have been a better set up with the integration of the students, you can't see the same 5 people day in and day out, you go crazy! |
| * Food: |
I went grocery shopping, so I bought what I like. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Besides living in London in itself, the program provided no social or non-academic aspects. If you want to experience any cultural aspects, you have to go out of your way to do so. For me, I stayed with a friend for a week longer in London (because we were forced to leave our apartment the following day that our program ended). And following my departure from London, I was finally able to relax and enjoy the culture of Europe by travelling by myself and visiting friends who were also studying abroad. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe, and I never needed any healthcare related assistance so I wouldn't know. But I imagine, that with universal healthcare it would have been great just a bit of a wait. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Roughly $300 during my stay in London. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Underground transportation is very expensive. The best way to conserve money is not to go out and eat but to buy groceries. Travelling after the program (if you wish to travel) is the best way as well, because then you can be relaxed and truly enjoy the places you are visiting, not to mention, you only have to buy one way tickets. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you are looking for a challenging experience and are able to be independent and rely on yourself to find fun, then this experience is for you. If you struggle with making an effort to have fun on your own, choose another program. |
