Become an Actor and Resident in London Not Just an American Student Past Review
By Kimberly S (Theatre, Barnard College) for
Sarah Lawrence College: London - London Theatre Program
I know I am an actor now and BADA made me realize I am the only one standing in my way. Being in London and BADA made me feel like I could take on the scary prospect of going out into the real world next year after college as an actor and theatre artist.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
BADA organizes housing for its students. The locations of the apartments in central London are great, a few tube stops from all the important London places, but there is a two mile walk to school or a 40 minute tube ride in the morning if you are lucky enough to have money to do that everyday.I mostly felt safe expect for the fact that the bedroom doors have no locks so you have to put valuables in a locker in the living room and our apartment doors did not automatically lock so if your roommates forget to lock it you may find a confused, drunk american boy in your closet one day like I did. There is maid service once a week that cleans and changes bedding, but try to keep you own kitchen clean because they do not do a very good job and make sure to lock valuables up on cleaning day. There is also the problem of how the maids ration toilet paper and refuse to give more than 4 rolls to an apartment of 5 people for a week even though they are not supposed to. Of course I did not go to BADA for the housing |
| * Food: |
English food is not very good, but since I bought and cooked my own food it was ok. I am a vegan and at any of the school events with food BADA was very good about providing and labeling vegan food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I went the doctor twice in London. BADA actually told me exactly where to go for a walk in clinic and even had someone from the school go with me when I was really unwell with an ear infection. I went to a walk in clinic that you pay for which is faster, but if you have time you can go to the free NHS clinic all over the city. I was given a prescription immediately and recovered quickly. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about 50 dollar on food a week and most weeks that is all I bought with the exception of a few tube rides home about $2.50 the same as in NYC |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy you own food as much as possible and eat at home, do not take taxis too much and in London get as many people in a taxi to split the fare. From BADA to the apartments a split fare can be as low as 2 to 3 pounds. Don't necessarily do tourist things instead find out about local favorites like outdoor markets and parks. Always have money for medical expenses just in case and take out larger sums of money from the atm to save on international transaction fees as well as get a pay as you go phone or uses the apartment landlines to call home, its cheaper. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you want to be an actor or are unsure whether you are an actor go to BADA. There is no other program like it. |
