Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Study Abroad: The best experience of my life. Past Review

By (Math and English, University of Rochester) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 06/09/2012 with

Queen Mary University of London Study Abroad programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I leanred how to live in a country besides my own and adapt to a new culture. I gained in independence and confidence. It was very worthwhile.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Queen Mary University of London
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I have my own room and bathroom, and I shared a kitchen with 5 other people. It was the nicest housing I ever had.

* Food:

British food is pretty good, and there are plenty of ethnic restaurants available as well. It is, however, much more expensive than American food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

By the end of the trip I knew London like the back of my hand, and understood many cultural customs.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any health issues.

* Safety:

We were given an orientation on the first day, one of which discussed safety. While pick-pocketing and other such stuff happens in London, it never happened to my friends or myself, and I felt perfectly safe in London.

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)

Food itself is expensive, as are restaurants. If you budget yourself, however, it is manageable.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Probably around 20 pounds. A bit more if I ate out regularly. I was very careful with my money and didn't eat much.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be careful about how much alcohol you drink. Many people spend hundreds of pounds of alcohol. A lot of places also have student discounts, so look out for those.

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
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International 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?
  • Field trips to places all over U.K.
  • Going to University with local students.
  • All the opportunities available to me when it came to seeing everything available in London.
* What could be improved?
  • Sometimes the IES staff weren't particularly helpful.
  • More help readily available for the depression that sets in during culture shock?
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How expensive London is.