Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Not a complete cultural-immersion university Past Review

By (Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, Regent’s University London) - abroad from 01/14/2013 to 03/04/2013 with

Regent’s University London: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that I am a lot better at handling stressful situations or situations that are not ideal than I had thought. I can now walk around in a city alone and with confidence because London is very easy to navigate and feel safe in (well, as safe as you can feel in a city without being ignorant). It was definitely worth while, and even though I was disappointed, I have no regrets!

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.

* 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?

I wanted my study abroad experience to be one immersed in the English culture. I wanted to make local friends, see the sights, and to most importantly escape American culture. My actual experience was a different story. I was immersed in the American-studying-abroad culture. I was housed with other Americans, in a section of Regents dedicated to students studying abroad. And most of the other students who weren't American, I felt were unapproachable and judgmental. I was a little disappointed. It was nice to know some fellow Americans but I did not expect to only interact with them. However, this might be my own fault for not doing research before I went there. If I knew this, I would have attended a different university.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe, there was always a security guard on duty and available 24/7 right where my room was located. You needed to be a Regents student to enter the building at all, and you needed to be housed in my specific part of the campus in order to enter. Amazing job guys!

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

London is expensive the US dollar doesn't go far. I spent more money then I've ever seen while abroad. However it's to be expected and if I budgeted my money better it would have been less expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? maybe $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Spend money on things you wouldn't be able to do in the US. Yeah, drinking and going out to bars is fun and part of the experience, but don't do it as much as you normally would. Go to the Harry Potter Studio tour more than once, see all the sights, spend money on more travel. Only allot yourself to maybe $100 a week to spend on food and a drink or two.

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? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Classes and Professors
  • Location (Regents Park) A+!
  • The Food
* What could be improved?
  • Maybe the bathrooms - never got enough hot, or even warm water. Toilets always clogged, floor always wet.
  • More immersion
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I would be spending my time mostly with American students. That I would have enjoyed my time a lot more if I liked the people I was around. If I could go back I would have convinced my best friend to come with me. I learned that these important experiences should be shared with the ones you love.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.