Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Strong Program Lacking Solely in Housing February 09, 2026

By (Theater Arts, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/21/2025 to 12/19/2025 with

Sarah Lawrence College: London - London Theatre Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned resilience, and how to find a piece of my home culture in a new place. It was a trying time for me in my personal life, and it led to some sickness and troubles while away, but that led me to lean even further into my work, which rewarded me in turn, and figure out how to take pieces of my home comforts with me, which gave me a new appreciation for everything I have here.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

The Stay Club is in a great location, but it is in pretty bad condition, has beds with no mattresses unless requested (only done in response to extensive complaints), and gouges with the price of laundry. None of this would be worth mentioning necessarily if the housing wasn't more expensive than even Brandeis.

* Food:

I liked British food more than most. This program did not have a meal plan of any kind when I attended, so this review is based solely on the local options.

* 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

Difficulties are a part of the experience. I didn't go abroad to have an easy semester. The program was challenging, but rewarding work, and for some of the frustrations of living there, I learned how to adapt. As time went on, it got easier, and if I were returning this semester, I bet I could live cheaper, better, and cleaner with what I know now.

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)

London is expensive. With a lot of experience budgeting back home, I was able to get by cheaply (around $75 a week), but this was limiting myself to incredibly basic food like canned beans most of the week. I got more and more creative, and with so many places to shop, it's easy to hunt down discounts... but hunt one must.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~$110
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat like a local. In the case of London, the cheapest things to eat were things like baked beans, British sausages, and pork mince. All of those products had store brands for cheap, but it was harder to find avocados, fish, maple syrup, or other products that may be relatively cheap if you know where to look in the US.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Academic Rigor
  • Practical Learning
  • Faculty
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I brought some more weather-appropriate clothes. I tried to pack light, but ultimately I spared myself an inconvenient few hours in the airports at the cost of being cold.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
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.