Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Misinformed but not Regretful of My Trip Past Review

By (Finance and Financial Management Services., Bentley University) - abroad from 09/22/2012 to 12/15/2012 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to accept other cultures and value the world's differences. It was definitely worthwile! I became more independent and confident as a result of navigating my way in situations I was completely unfamiliar with.

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.

The operation of a university in England and of a university in the US are very different. Academics and schoolwork were neither rigorous nor intense, nor intellectually stimulating. Yet, grading was intense and I felt, did not fit the rigor (or lack there of) of the work given. Resources were OK, in that there was always someone to email to help you with something and there were two libraries and many online resources as well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The abroad coordinators were helpful and always happy to help, though sometimes I felt they were unorganized. Professors were very accepting of us American students and liked when we shared our US perspectives with the classes.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was happy to have had my own single room with a full size bed and my own bathroom. I shared a kitchen with seven other people which was nice. I loved with mostly first year students. I do wish I could have lived in the actual city of London.

* Food:

The dining hall was not open very many hours and was a bit expensive with no meal plan. We had kitchens but the supermarket was a bout a 20-25 minute walk away. Not many dining options on campus and especially none open after 7 pm.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was well integrated with the first year students of RHUL who lived in my dorm but second and third year students live off campus so I did not really get to interact with many of them. Also, most students go home one the weekends so the campus is kind of dead then. I did not really get to meet many people from the city of London, which I was looking forward to doing.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe at all times at RHUL.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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 easy because the exchange rate was not in the US Dollar favor. And England, itself, is an expensive country. Also there was minimal public transportation where we were located in the suburbs.

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
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • Everyone was nice
  • campus was safe
  • easy to travel to other european countries
* What could be improved?
  • proximity to London!
  • academics
  • Location
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it is harder, longer , and more expensive to get into London than advisors made it seem!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.