Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An unforgettable year Past Review

By (Economics and Math, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/18/2016 to 06/08/2017 with

London School of Economics (LSE): London - General Course, Year-Long Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
There are so many perspectives and paths to get to where you are. Learned a lot about independence and the importance of a good community of friends to battle homesickness.

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.

Very intense academics. Professors are extremely qualified but are very busy with large classes and their own research

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I liked how the program was a year long, although I disliked the mental stress and lack of support during exam season. London was amazing.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20-30 pounds
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget carefully! Don't buy too much, especially when you go home, a lot of people ended up throwing away a lot of things they shopped over the years. Collect light and small and cheap things, like postcards

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • LONDON
  • I felt like an integrated student. I got to meet a lot of people outside of my program (which consisted mostly of Americans)
  • The flexibility to travel
* What could be improved?
  • Better communication with administration.
  • More social events
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Although most people talk about the glamour of studying abroad. it's okay to have bad times.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'