Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life Inside a Park Inside London Past Review

By (Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Other, College of Saint Rose) - abroad from 01/12/2011 to 05/01/2011 with

Regent’s University London: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
You will never get a chance like this again. I think they'd probably arrest me if I tried to sleep inside Regent's Park these days. I gained a sense of forced independence and really learned how to be on my own for the first time. Navigating a city like London, you have no choice. I'll never forget it!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This was my last semester prior to graduating back home. As such, since I managed to finish all of my core major classes prior to arriving in London, I was free to take any and all courses I wanted. It didn't matter if they pertained to my major or not. I took art classes, theater classes, and a few general English classes I wouldn't have been exposed to back home. I wouldn't say they were easy, but I found them all more than manageable, especially coupled with the fact that we took so many amazing class field trips. (Think reading Dickens and then GOING to the actual places in the novels.)

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I felt the presence of the Study Abroad Office and was well cared for. I can't say I utilized their services as much as I should've, in retrospect. We were introduced initially upon arrival but I wasn't entirely comfortable going to the office for any and all needs They seemed so busy all the time.. (and they were!) I definitely took them up on their awesome day trips. The trips are a great deal if you want to save money and see England!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

You are LIVING INSIDE REGENT'S PARK, London. It's the chance of a lifetime. I had a beautiful room overlooking the park. Walking distance to Baker Street and its tube station, which would take me anywhere in London. I had a triple, which was spacious, Everyone had their own space. We even had a (fake) fireplace!

* Food:

I didn't starve! Kidding aside, I always had plenty of meal plan money. The food was tasty. I enjoyed how similar some foods were compared to American foods, but always with a bit of a British twist. My one complaint would be that the food halls were closed on weekends. Sometimes it was a pain (and expensive!) to find food elsewhere.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

You're in the middle of London, you can't beat it. I definitely felt we were in a bit of a Regent's College safety cocoon which was both good and bad. It was easy to hide away. That said, you WILL experience London. There is no way around riding the tube, visiting the sights, or going on class related trips. You definitely get the hang of things by the end of the first month.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I, luckily, didn't need to seek medical care during my stay. But I do know that my roommate needed to and was well assisted for by college staff in finding care.

* Safety:

I felt very safe inside the park. The gates would lock at night giving me a very secure, safe feeling. Even walking home from the tube late at night, I felt safe. The college is in a good part of London. That said, be smart! Watch your surroundings. I would try to walk home with other students if it was dark out.

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 definitely didn't overspend, however, I can see how I could've had I not been careful.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $30-$40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The pound is basically the dollar times two. So that great 20 pound sweater you saw at Primark? It's actually $40. Careful spending!

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

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Location (THE PARK!)
  • Classes (FIELD TRIPS! Theater!)
  • Safety (The college was a great home base)
* What could be improved?
  • Exposure to locals within courses
  • Communcation between students and Study Abroad office
  • Food on weekends!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the "it rains constantly in London" notion is entirely untrue. I arrived in January thinking it would be winter for months. It rained maybe once a week. It was beautiful Spring/Summer weather for 80% of my stay. Which meant I was stuck with winter clothes (THINK PARKA) the whole time. Some students expensively sent for summer clothes back home. I didn't, but could've. I would suggest planning for ALL weather, cover your bases.

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!