Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

London Life and Bones in Bournemouth Past Review

By (Anthropology., Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/25/2012 to 07/26/2012 with

Michigan State University: United Kingdom - Forensic Anthropology and Human Identification

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned even more how to be independent, get comfortable with living in a city and traveling on my own in a city. I also learned so much about forensic anthropology and really want to continue learning more. This program was definitely worthwhile and meshed well with the rural, adventurous program I picked for my semester, since this then gave me a taste of city life.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: The program was through Michigan State University, but we used the facilities at Regent's College for 4 weeks and Bournemouth University for 1 week
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

We had two great MSU professors teaching us, great TA's during the lab intensive week, and a lot of really interesting guest lecturers.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

For the most part it was well planned and we could get in touch with our program leaders, however there were times when the schedule wasn't quite decided on and some uncertainty.

* 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

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The classes and guest lectures were amazing and we had some really neat behind the scenes looks at some museums and special collections.
  • I also loved living in London, it is such an amazing and vibrant city.
  • The week in Bournemouth was also neat, staying in a hotel right along the waterfront and studying bones at the really neat forensic archaeology lab in Bournemouth.
* What could be improved?
  • The schedule could be better set and varified from the beginning of the program.
  • Also way too much money was put on our Regent's college I.D. cards for printing, so that we ended up just losing that money. Also transportation to the university in Bournemouth was a little unorganized and with the cost of the program we really shouldn't have had to pay out of pocket for transportation in acordance with class trips and transportation.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had been better prepared for the chillier weather and brought my leather boots and tights, and not have brought my rain jacket.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!