London- The Best City I've Visited Past Review

By Michelle K (International Studies, University of Michigan - Dearborn) for

ISA Study Abroad in London, England

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It was definitely worth it. I've considered archaeology and paleontology due to my class with Gustav Milne. This trip to London was my first out of the country, and it sparked a huge wanderlust in me - since this program, I've revisited London, lived in Italy, backpacked in Aruba, took a ferry to Greece, and slept outside in Ireland.

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.	The workload was more than acceptable, the content was interesting, and the class was fantastic. The teacher was a Board member for the London Museum, and was the head archeologist of University College London. This was truly a "summer" class, less rigid than other classes. We took 7 or 8 "field trips" all over London, where the professor taught us about the historical nooks and crannies of the city.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Maria (leader) was a great, smart woman who helped whenever necessary. A girl had to leave the trip upon learning she was pregnant (!) and Maria helped her get everything together, and contacted ISA, etc., going above and beyond. She was not overbearing in the slightest - she picked us up at the airport and was patient in showing us how to use the Tube. She also took us on mini-excursions after classes, but didn't act like we were children. It was, "Show up at the Westminster tube stop at 4:00 and we will go to Westminster Abbey." If you were there, she took you on a tour. She also spoke with me months after the trip when I contacted her about working abroad. A big help, she seems to enjoy her job thorougly.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My expectations were met - the dorms we stayed in were in Victoria, a perfect, posh area. Everyone got a single room (or double if they wanted to stay with someone they knew.) The area was super safe and in a residential part of town. The rooms were cleaned weekly with new sheets and towels. The showers were a bit gross but aren't all dorm showers? There was a single common room with a crappy TV but that's not why you're there. 2 Kitchens/floor where your food sometimes got stolen. Not such a huge deal because there was a tesco on the block. It was the perfect living arrangements, and when I travel to London, I attempt to see if the dorms have any openings because I enjoyed the area so much.
* Food:	It's plain ole' British food, which isn't great but isn't bad. I lived on tomato soup and fish and chips. Was there a lot of variety? No. Did I need it? No. Plus, there's no better place to get a great, greasy breakfast than a pub in London.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	There was an opportunity to go to Belgium and Amsterdam for the weekend. It was additional cost (as always) and the tour guide was drunk the entire time (but not driving), but it was entirely worth it.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I never felt unsafe while I was there. However, I never put myself in a situation to feel unsafe. It comes down to being smart - travel in groups, wear (at least semi-) appropriate clothing, and remember that you're a direct representative of your country. The healthcare system was perfectly fine. I broke my toe and was able to see a doctor without the huge mess of initial paperwork and crap like you deal with in Emergency Rooms in the US. There were no vaccines needed for my program.
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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	International Students Local Students Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	The class
* What could be improved?	Cost, as always
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Any student who has an open mind would enjoy this program. There are multiple opportunities to see new things and meet new people. A seemingly scary suggestion (but I promise, it's not): Give yourself an extra two (or more) weeks on the end of your trip. You WILL meet someone who also wants to travel after the program. I made a life-long friend and after the program ended, we traveled to Ireland, Scotland and France. It sounds ridiculous and scary but you're already there. And if you're like me, you already had to take a loan out to pay for this - the extra money I spent bumming around Ireland, Scotland and France was 200% worth it.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Jack the Ripper
Course Department:	unknown
Instructor:	unknown
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I immediately dropped the class because I learned that we wouldn't be learning about the case of Jack the Ripper, but England during that time period. To be honest, they also talked about a massive essay that would be due at the end of class for a large amount of points, and I was not into that.
Credit Transfer Issues:	N/A

Course Name/Rating:	History of London
Course Department:
Instructor:	Gustav Milne
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was fabulous, interesting and amazing. I still use the information I learned in my life today. The professor, Gustav Milne, was outstanding. I have considered getting my Master's in archaeology partly due to his passion when teaching this course. I participated much more than I thought I would in a summer study abroad program at 20 years old.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I had relatively no credit issues, except that I had to petition to make the class count as an Art History class. Even then, because it was a transfer class, they would not count it towards my minor in Art History, which I ended up not getting.