Expensive adventures to last a lifetime Past Review
By A student (Business, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/30/2014 to 06/08/2015 with
London School of Economics (LSE): London - General Course, Year-Long Study Abroad Programme
I think it was entirely worthwhile and experiencing life abroad for a year instead of just one semester was much more valuable. I felt that I was truly living in the city and culture and got a better experience of immersion. Getting the chance to be abroad, travel and experience different cultures at this age is also something I feel extremely lucky to have had. I learned a lot about what I want or need from living in a city, as well as how I learn best and what kind of academic experiences I value most.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academic rigor, intensity and resources were excellent. Access to professors and engagement from professors was below my personal standards (and I believe the standards of Brandeis). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lots of loud freshers. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Did not necessarily feel fully integrated with the student body socially, but felt very welcome and at home in the culture of London. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare system was great though just took some time to figure out how the system worked and how to navigate it, as it was quite different than at home. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
London was extremely expensive and I very often felt strapped for cash. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook for dinner and lunches as much as possible and be sure to plan time into your day to do so. Best deals when eating out are street food vendors and markets (usually best food too). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew what it would take to budget myself and still take advantage of all the opportunities available. |
