London: Walking is Learning Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were at their best when we ventured outside the room and into the city, such as walks around East London for Sociology class or visits to museums and buildings for Art & Architecture class. Foreign professors tend to give less background information and guidance to their students, expecting us to know a lot about a given subject before we start their classes; I felt kind of overwhelmed by readings and paper writing sometimes, since so much of it is based on individual research, but I found that if I paid attention and participated enough in each class period I was okay. As someone who is usually an over-achieving type of person on my home campus, I found that I was more lax about keeping up with my classes while studying abroad because the most important thing is to get out of your normal routine and explore/observe everything in the city you're living in. Don't forget about your assignments, but also don't let them get in the way of learning about the culture firsthand.

On-site administration of your program

Program size was perfect; the administration kept in touch about events happening in London and often organized group walks around the city; the subsidized trips to places around Britain were very well organized

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I rented a small apartment ("flat") with two other classmates for our 4-month stay in London. The college administration was helpful in giving us information about short leases and estate agents who would be willing to take on lets shorter than 6 months. The neighborhood was 20-minutes away in walking distance and was very safe, with good shops and a London Underground station within a 5-minute walk. We had to buy items to help furnish our bedrooms (sheets, towels, some cleaning supplies) but our landlord was very helpful about providing other supplies.

Some food expires more quickly in Britain than it does in America, which can be irritating.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The field trips to Edinburgh, Liverpool, Stratford and the West Country were great; they had a good balance of scheduled activities at museums, etc. and free time to go to pubs and shows. I loved the walks around London with our program director who knew everything. The theatre in London is amazing. Getting to stand along the procession route at the royal wedding of Prince William & Kate Middleton was one of the highlights of being in London in the spring.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I felt safer in London than I sometimes do when walking around my hometown of Philadelphia or around New York City. There isn't as much of a gun culture in London. There were some student riots while we were there, but as long as you knew where they were happening and stayed away from the area for the day, you were fine.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Americans