Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Hardest Lazy Semester A Girl Could Ask For Past Review

By (Screenwriting, Ithaca College) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 04/30/2012 with

Ithaca College: London - Ithaca College London Center

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Who I am and who I want to be. That I can live in a city and enjoy it. That I never want to stop learning new things. That I can be even more independent than I thought, and that I can enjoy it. Ever second was worthwhile.

Review Photos

Ithaca College: London - Ithaca College London Center Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were all so helpful and sincere. They want us to have the best, most informative time we could have had, and they were always willing to help us get there.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We had to find our own housing, which is a challenge, but so worth it. It made for a great bonding experience, and really made our group into a family. We had some issues with our actual flat, but we had a great landlord (flooding, bed bugs) who was always willing to help us out.

* Food:

The food was great, really got to feel British.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had an internship, so I really felt a part of the groove of London life.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to go in for a consultation on bed bugs (which we did have, and eventually had taken care of) and they were very helpful.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe in London, and even when I might have, I knew what I could do about it. (call someone, find a more populated area, etc.)

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)

I could manage from week to week, as long as I planned it out and knew what I was spending money on.

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* 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? About 125 GBP probably, about $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? know what and when you're spending your money on. write it down. LOOK AT IT.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Meeting/working with people who lived in London
  • exploring the UK/Europe
  • having wonderful, unique experiences
* What could be improved?
  • longer program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't let anything hold you back. Be there, 100% it's a wonderful, unique experience, and you shouldn't feel hesitant about enjoying your time there.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Drama and the London Theatre
Course Department:
Instructor: Ashoke Chanda
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I liked the opportunities we had, but the course was not particularly interesting and did not inspire great work. (Some less than enthusiastic classmates didn't help the atmosphere.)
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Victorian Art & Society
Course Department: Art History
Instructor: Linda Bolton
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I learned so much, and I enjoyed what I learned. She made great use of the museums around London and we had exams based off ideas, not hard facts. It was a great class for discussion and just absorbing information.
Credit Transfer Issues: