Semester in London - Do it! ... just not this program. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I strongly disliked the evaluation of my performance abroad. I felt the grading of essays was unfair and difficult to discern what was expected of me based on truncated prompts and a lack of lesser assignments to assimilate to the expected work of respective classes. I was underwhelmed by the teaching staffs ability to provide insight into their respective subjects. Though some of my experiences abroad were the best in my life, academically I feel as if a semester of education was wasted. If any future student chooses to study abroad in England my recommendation is to focus on only one academic discipline and to avoid a liberal arts approach as their system is woefully unequipped to handle a cross-disciplinary schedule. The focus is on discipline specific schedules and not at all on individual classes making selection of different classes virtually impossible.

On-site administration of your program

The departments and offices on campus were unhelpful in my endeavors and did not bear my best interest in mind. Coming from a school with overly helpful, caring, and competent staff this was a consistently frustrating obstacle to my success. This is due in part to a different British system focused on self reliance as well as my taking classes in multiple subjects which their administration is unable to handle well. Administration is impersonal and inappropriately attached to policy from handing in papers with anonymous authorship to an independent grader you have never met to attempting the construction of a schedule of separate departments that do not communicate. Your abroad status earns you no grace in terms of exceptions to policy even when it seemed appropriate.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was very nice but promoted solitude in an apartment layout.

The food court was relatively expensive and was significantly worse than any American Colleges I have seen.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My social and cultural experience was the single redeeming factor of my semester. I feel as if I have learned a great deal about myself and other cultures. Some of the best moments of my life occurred on sporadic trips into Europe arranged ourselves not through our program.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The program and city were safer than the majority of American universities and cities. Strict gun and knife laws promoted a non violent environment. The only crime worth worrying about is petty theft of bags or unattended items.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment

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• International Students

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• International Students

• My access to Europe

• Everything else.