Discovering myself and becoming more independent in a foreign city. Past Review
By Melissa Pena (SUNY - Fashion Institute of Technology) - abroad from 05/13/2016 to 06/24/2016 with
Regent’s University London: Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned to be on my own, to become independent from my parents and to finally do everything I have been wanting to do. I learned that although it is very comforting to be alone at times, it's more meaningful when you are experiencing something new with someone else. It was worth every single penny and every single minute to be there at Regent's University London.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My professor really made an effort in showing the culture of London to study abroad students. Every educational trip was related to the material being taught in the classroom. I thought the Introduction to Human Resources course was very vigorous. I decided to drop-off the class because I did not want to spend the majority of time in London writing numerous research papers. This class also had many time schedule changes, which I thought was not realistic for study abroad students. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very helpful and professional. They understood that we were away from home in a foreign country and did not have anyone else to count on. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
No elevators? Schlepping my 60lbs suitcase up to the fourth floor was a good time. |
| * Food: |
Unreasonable time schedules. Cafeteria closed too early. Should keep cafeteria open 24/7 for students wanting to get a bottle of water or a granola bar. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Although there were local students beside the study abroad students, I did not really get the chance to meet them or be with them. The faculty should have included study abroad students in the student activities offered at the school for local students. I was not aware there was a fashion show led by Regent's faculty that took place at the university, and I am a fashion major. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Attentive and helpful. |
| * Safety: |
Maybe too overbearing in terms of safety. The gate and door to our residential building closed too early, 8:00, and I had to walk all the way towards the front entrance which was farther away from the entrance to the park. Wouldn't it be common sense to have the gate closest to the metro open? |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I met amazing people I would not have met if I had not studied abroad, friends that I will definitely keep in contact with. I loved the city that I studied abroad in, London. I really liked the campus and the university overall, including the professors. Everybody was very friendly and understanding. Would experience London all over again in a heart beat. |
Finances
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* 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) |
The tuition covered student meals from the cafeteria. This was an excellent way to save money for American students considering that the pound is a lot more expensive than the dollar. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Approximately 50 pounds, this was from exploring the city and eating out at restaurants or food markets. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go grocery shopping and cook your own meals if a cafeteria is not available at the school that you're staying. Money does not go a long way when eating out everyday. |
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
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How to better save money. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
