Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A semester abroad in the heart of London Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Illinois - Chicago) - abroad from 01/22/2014 to 05/22/2014 with

KEI Abroad in London, England

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learnt so much about time management. Of course I wanted to explore and have fun, but I also wanted to get firsts on all my exams, so I learnt how to manage my time really well and I can use that skill in the future too. I gained so much confidence while being abroad and I opened up from the shy girl I used to be into someone who would go up to strangers and strike conversations. This is something I've wanted to fix about myself for so long, and being abroad really helped me in moving out of my comfort zone.

Review Photos

Knowledge Exchange Institute: London - London South Bank University Photo Knowledge Exchange Institute: London - London South Bank University 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.

The exams were definitely intense, but I don't think I have ever left an exam taking so much information with me. The teachers were always so helpful in telling us exactly what they want from us and would take time out to meet with their students. Seminars, were taught by PhD students who could also answer all of our questions, so I never felt that I was left alone, even though most of the studying was done independently. One really has to take the time to sit down with all the material as well as go to the library and do a lot of extra research, but the amount that you learn is incredible.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Extremely helpful!!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

SO BIG, SO CLEAN, AND WE EVEN HAD OUR OWN BATHROOMS!

* Food:

There was such a variety of food, every corner you turned there was a new restaurant.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated in the culture going around taking the Tube everywhere, eating Sunday roasts, walking at a British pace, and going to local Pubs to watch football games.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt safe all the time...normally I wouldn't use public transportation to come home when its dark outside, but I never felt scared taking it in London since its so common. As long as you're with a group of people you should be fine!

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)

In my case, I went out to eat quite a lot and I did a lot of traveling so I exceeded my budget, but it is very possible to live on a students budget if you like to cook for yourself!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $80
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to pace yourself! It's a new freedom being away from friends and family, but there's so much one can see/do for free instead of going out and eating and getting pretty drinks all the time. Also, cooking a couple times a week will save you money, don't get lazy and order pizza all the time! That's what me and my friends did, and not only did we put on some weight, we lost a lot of money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • The activities were so much fun!
  • The on-site director was always willing to help us in anything!
  • The location of our dorms were so perfect, we were dead on in Central London.
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew I was going to love it, so that I could have taken into consideration the opportunity to extend my education abroad for another semester.