Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Eye-opening, life-changing, and other student abroad cliches Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/03/2013 to 06/07/2013 with

Queen Mary University of London Study Abroad programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I left for study abroad with a serious devotion to the USA and a pretty solid belief that I could never love another country the way I love America. However, London and the United Kingdom at large showed me how wrong that belief was. I don't think I could ever live permanently in a country that isn't the good ole US of A, but I could definitely see myself living in London for a couple of years between graduating college and the rest of my life. It was absolutely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I didn't necessarily use the resources to the best of my ability, but I always felt that there were plenty to choose from, and that the professors were more than happier to help you find resources.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It was hard to find the office, but that never had any sort of massive negative impact on my experience.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I LOVED my living arrangement.

* Food:

I was in charge of cooking my own meals, so that worked out really nicely.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I lived with 5 British kids, and I spent a ton of time walking around London and taking the Tube, so I feel like I was pretty integrated by the end of my stay.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I got a pretty terrible cold during the last month of my stay, but I was able to combat it with over the counter medicine, so everything worked out alright.

* Safety:

I never felt threatened.

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)

I had the perfect amount of money. London is an expensive city, and the exchange rate is not kind to Americans, but I got a decent amount of money from Trinity, and I received a scholarship the summer prior to my semester abroad that provided money for London. That being said, I don't think I would have been able to do most of what I did abroad if I hadn't received the outside scholarship the summer prior to going.

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? Make a budget. It's so basic, but it helps so much. Also make sure that your converting the money the right way. It's unpleasant to think that you have $300 dollars to spend only to realize you weren't converting properly and you actually only have $150.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • I enjoyed living and taking classes with British students. I think that aspect of the program really enhanced my experience.
* What could be improved?
  • I struggle a bit with the differences between American higher education and British higher education. The schedules and the grading scale are so very different.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I'd known that I was only really going to wear one type of outfit. That would have cut done my suitcase situation significantly.

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.'