London: great experience but had its drawbacks Past Review

By (Economics., Rollins College) for

Rollins College: London - London Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile because I got the chance to experience another culture for an extended period of time. It definitely made me realize how great America is compared to other countries. My future plans and academic interests are still intact and I haven't changed any of them.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I enjoyed the professors and the subject matter, but I really disliked how they weighted grades. I don't see the point in weighting the final at 80% of final grade. It makes any graded coursework done almost completely worthless.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were accesible for the most part. If there was a problem, we tried calling the 24hr. Hotline but nobody ever picked that up so we weren't too happy abou that. Things got done not quickly, but in an acceptable amount of time. There was nothing special or necessarily good about the program. It was just there and got the job done.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our flat was very nice, the five of us got lucky. The rest of the people in the program didn't get so lucky. Any maintenance issues we had were resolved in a timely manner. Aside from the tv, the appliances worked sufficiently. The only major problem we had to deal with was bed bugs. Anglo fought us on that one for a little bit but the exterminator they hired finally said it was there fault and the issue then got resolved quite efficiently and speedily. I don't understand why they put us in a hotel 40 min. away from our flat when it was getting sprayed for bed bugs. That was a major inconvenience and a hassle.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The only thing I can remember that the program scheduled was the walking tour. That was good, the tour guide was very knowledgeable.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The city is fairly safe. There is always a threat of a terrorist attack in the back of people's minds but they just deal with it.

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 spent about £140 a week and that was just living modestly. Food and maybe phonetop-ups were probably the biggest expenses. And also once a month buying a tube card was expensive.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Not really anything unanticipated. Ink ew I was going to a city and that I would have to pay for everything and all of it was going to be expensive.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

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  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

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  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Bring a lot of extra money because the city is expensive. Students interested in business or finance would like this program.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Financial Economics

Course Department: EC3012
Instructor: Dr. Andy Denis
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was very challenging and it really made me think. The professor was extremely knowledgable and explained things clearly and concisely.
Credit Transfer Issues: