My Home Away From Home Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were very different than what you would see in the United States. They were difficult, but the professors were extremely helpful! I never felt uneasy about the grades I would receive, and really enjoyed learning in a new way.

On-site administration of your program

Susannah Kyte is the on-site administrator for this program, and she was absolutely wonderful! She was always helpful, and made us feel at home the moment we arrived in London.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The location of the flats was perfect! It was about a 5-10 minute walk to campus, a 10 minute walk from Borough market, and about a 15 minute walk from Tower Bridge. I spent countless evenings eating dinner by Tower Bridge, and strolling along the banks of the Thames. The rooms were small, but they were the perfect size for just one person. We each had our own bathroom as well, and a shared kitchen/dining area. There was even a doorman who made sure everyone entering the building was supposed to be there. I always felt safe. The only drawback was the amount of fire alarms we had. For a few weeks, there were back-to-back fire alarms all though the night, almost every night. That could quite possibly be fixed at this point though!

I am an extremely picky eater, but there were always options that I could choose from. There are also quite a few American places nearby (For example, Subway, Starbucks, and Krispy Kreme). Even at local restaurants, there were options for me that I loved. There were also several grocery stores nearby with good prices on most products.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

One of the coolest aspects of the flats, is that we were housed with other international students, as well as local students. We were able to meet tons of people from all over the world, and make lifelong friendships. All of our classes, besides the one specifically for KEI Study Abroad students, were integrated into London South Bank University courses. We got to work with other students from all over the world, and learn from their different perspectives.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any issues while abroad, nor did I need to receive any vaccines for this program.

I had no issues with safety, and I never felt uneasy while in London. I made an effort to avoid situations that would put me at risk for danger. I made sure I was aware of my money and passport at all times, and avoided being in overly crowded areas. I never went anywhere alone at night, and always made sure I let people know where and when I was travelling.

This experience was my first trip outside the United States, and I felt prepared every step of the way. After doing tons of research, I found this program to be the most cost efficient, and included some of the best experiences. I don't regret my decision one bit, and I would do it again in a heart beat.

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

I chose to splurge more often than I should have, but if I had set a budget for myself I would have spent a lot less. One of the biggest expenses was transportation around London, and eating out with friends.

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• Dorm
• Apartment

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Price of the program, and excursions that were included
• Administrators
• Location of the University, and Housing

• More class options

The Outright Urbanite