Absolutely wonderful experience and would love to go back to visit Past Review

By Sophia O (Communications/History, John Carroll University) - abroad from 08/27/2014 to 12/12/2014 with

Regent’s University London: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned that I can live independently from my parents who were an ocean away. I learned that there are a great many other cultures that I had not had a lot of experience with prior to this experience. I also gained the knowledge that even though my classmates and I might not be from the same place, we had similar views.

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.	I felt like I was challenged in my classes but not so much that I was overwhelmed. I also felt that there were adequate resources to assist me in getting comfortable being so far away from home as well as learning how to behave in a culture/place I was unfamiliar with.
* 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?	No the health care was not easily accessible. The local healthcare system was much worse than at home. I had to jump through so many hoops just to get my blood drawn for a health issue that I've had all my life.
* Safety:	I felt as though the city was safe for the most part but I did feel a little unsafe at times. The only safety advise that I have for future students is to walk with friends if you are going anywhere, especially at night. Pick pocketing is a large issue in London and there are multiple reminders around the city as well as in buildings and such.
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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	I did not spend that much on food/other expenses each week. However, I would say that I spent about $50-$100 when I did buy food and other expenses
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	The only advice I would give is if you are going to a grocery store, look for the cheapest option. Also, try not to go crazy on souvenirs.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm Other
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students Other
* 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?	The different people from different places in my classes Meeting other people from places I've never been to Being able to travel to places such as Scotland and other Europenan cities on a weekend
* What could be improved?	I thought that there could have been more ice breakers at orientation The three hour classes were very long The class arrival strictness
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I now know that there are a lot of people over in London and that some places are a little seedier than others. I did somewhat know that prior to going on this program but I saw first hand what the good places and the not very good places in London. I also wish I knew how common pickpocketing was in London and other places in Europe. I was not a victim of pickpocketing, but I knew someone who was.

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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	From Shakespeare's Globe to the West End
Course Department:	Theater
Instructor:	Anna Sullivan
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course was not extremely challenging. Yes it did make use of the location as well as offer relevant field trips. We went to eight plays at different, popular theaters. Yes the teacher was very knowledgeable and well-prepared. I participated in class a little bit less than I would have been at my home institution but I did participate as much as I could.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Informal Logic
Course Department:	Philosophy
Instructor:	Kit Barton
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was very challenging for me but not so much that I felt overwhelmed. Yes, the professor made use of the location but did not offer any field trips. The teacher was very knowledgeable about the topic as well as prepared. I participated in this class about the same amount that I would at my home institution. The exams and homework were not bad. They complimented the lesson that we were on in class.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Ethics In the Media
Course Department:	Media
Instructor:	Lisette Johnston
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Yes, this class was a little bit challenging when it came to presentations and so forth. Yes, the instructor made use of the location but did not offer any field trips. Yes, the teacher was very knowledgeable and well-prepared. I participated in this class about the same amount that I would have at my home institution. The papers, homework and presentations were slightly challenging because the instructor was not always clear about what she wanted in the presentations in particular
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Introduction to Media Research
Course Department:	Media
Instructor:	Leslie Viney
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Yes, this course was challenging. Yes, it made use of the location but did not offer any field trips. Yes, the teacher was very knowledgeable as well as well-prepared. I participated in this class roughly the same amount that I would have at my home institution. The assessments for this class were challenging. One in particular had us talk to random people on the street and ask them to take a survey.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Shakespeare I: Comedies and Histories
Course Department:	English
Instructor:	George Yates
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was not very challenging. It did make use of the location but only offered one field trip. The teacher was knowledgeable and well-prepared. Yes, I participated in this class more than I would have at my home university. The papers were pretty easy. The teacher laid out exactly what he wanted in the paper.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No