London: Amazing Study Abroad Experience Past Review
By Amy K (Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management., University of Wisconsin - Stout) for
Regent’s University London: Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I definitely became more independent and outgoing. I also learned a lot about London and its history as well as the subjects I studied. I think now more then ever I am ready to work anywhere in the U.S. I feel I am now more prepared to work in the real world and am more confident in the way I handle myself professionally.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The work load was average. I guess it's really hard to get an A at AIU. I loved the hands on experience. At times it seemed like I was working for a real company and I had to complete a project. I really liked that a lot! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program's administration were very efficient in sending my transcripts back to the U.S. Everyone was very nice and if I had a question they were very helpful in answering it and giving me options. Tony the cultural director, was awesome and very helpful in assisting me with the best places to get tickets for shows, guiding students around London, and taking students on educational travel trips in the UK and Europe. He was able to answer our questions and was very knowledgeable about European history. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
AIU set students up in flats/apartments 25 minutes by Underground from the University. The flats were nice because we all had our own bedroom and bathroom. There were 7 students in a flat and we all shared a hallway and kitchen/seating area. It was really great because we all got to know each other well by cooking together and socializing in our kitchen. As far as location, I got used to walking by myself and using transportation, which was 2 blocks away. |
| * Food: |
The food was pretty good in London, but not as healthy as the awesome grocery stores. It seemed as though many of the groceries were organic and had few to non preservatives like we do in the US. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I definitely utilized traveling and the trips that were offered. I went to Paris, Bath and Stonehenge, Stratford Upon Avon, Windsor, Wales, Brugge in Belgium and many other places, as well as shows and walking tours in London. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The overall safety was good. We would get underground notifications for closures and potential threats. The emails kept us updated so we knew which lines to take. I did feel very safe using the underground transportation though. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200-$300 a week. Be careful and budget accordingly, I had problems spending too much. Only buy what you need and plan for those expensive purchases. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | For a month pass to use the underground it was 107 pounds. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I recommend going to AIU if considering fashion or retail because that is what they are known for and their strongest subject areas. It is a life-changing experience and if you can do it now, it will make you so much more independent and well-rounded. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Fashion Styling |
| Course Department: | Fashion |
| Instructor: | Professor Robin Dutt |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Amazing! It was so inspiring to work with Robin, he has experience as a stylist and brought so much enthusiasm and creativeness to the photo shoots! He made me want to know more and think out of the box! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
