Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Spectacular Semester in Surrey Past Review

By (Health: Science, Society and Policy/Music, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/03/2012 to 06/08/2012 with

Royal Holloway, University of London: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained so much independence, I learned how to travel and was exposed to so many new cultures, and it was completely worthwhile.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $130
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget your food, don't eat out a lot when traveling, and look for bundle deals when traveling.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The freedom of the program, which taught me to be so much more independent
  • The campus-it's beautiful.
* What could be improved?
  • The course selection was not flexible so I didn't love all of my classes but was stuck in them.
  • The school could have been closer to London, or transportation could have run later..
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about traveling and got a better tour of London in the beginning.