A change in environment allowed for a change in me! Past Review
By Amanda H (Theatre/Drama, Marywood University) - abroad from 01/26/2016 to 05/29/2016 with
St Mary's University: Twickenham, Greater London - Study Abroad + Internship, Semester or Full Academic Year
I gained experience about living on my own and being independent. I learned that I am stronger than I thought and I am capable of living in another country and able to make friends and travel. I am more confident in who I am more because I was able to experience a new culture and new things and really figure out who I am. I am still learning about who I am, but this experience was definitely worthwhile because it will always be part of what has shaped me and made me who I am.
Review Photos
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. |
The courses themselves were not too challenging but I did learn a lot. I had to practical courses and one lecture course. Personally I found the practical courses to be more demanding and I took back more information from them. Many people I know felt that the lecture courses were sometimes unnecessary, especially because attendance didn't count towards the overall grade, for my lecture course it was only an essay that counted and in theory one would not need to attend to write it. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
For the most part the lecturers and teachers of the courses here are very knowledgeable. I find that the International Office to be very helpful and friendly. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in on campus housing in De Marillac Hall. This specific hall is a single room with en suite as well. It is just enough room for me and my things. |
| * Food: |
The food was sub par at best, there is not a large amount of variety in their refectory and all international students get their meal plan with housing. It works on a point system and is very confusing in the beginning. I have learned and figured out how much points certain foods are worth, but it is not traditional and a very strange system. I do however enjoy the way their weekend meals run having Brunch and Dinner. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I would say I felt pretty integrated to the local culture. I believe that the student ambassadors helped with this factor because they would introduce international students to their friends and host get togethers. What really helped me however, was my practical courses, they were drama courses so I was able to really get to know the other students and became friends with them. It was really nice to get to know them and bond over the differences between our countries. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There is a health centre on campus which is easy to get to and the workers there were really nice. My only issue was that since I was a student for less than 6 months, I had a co pay that was higher than expected and was eligible to become a member under the NHS. However there are local clinics or walk in centres at the hospitals, they are easy to get to by bus and you are not charged to go there, you just need to by a prescription if necessary. |
| * Safety: |
The entire borough and surrounding area is one of the safest in London, I felt very comfortable walking around in the neighboring towns. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had good and bad experiences, but I know that if I was to do it all over again, I would still choose London. The program itself was in a way my only option for the city because I wanted to be able to study drama. I wouldn't change the program! |
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) |
I managed pretty well on a student budget, but one must be aware that no matter where you go it can be expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $10-60 on average |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I was able to manage my money by utilizing the food facilities on campus with my meal plan and I would buy some snacks and bars from grocery stores to tide me over and work on having a cheap lunch. Traveling is expensive, the oyster card is really easy to use, but you do have to spend money to top it up every once in a while. And then there would be times where you would need money for an event, show, exhibit etc, especially when traveling to other countries you have to take in account travel, food and where you are staying. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew a little more about the campus, for example that I would have to pay to do my laundry and those facilities, especially to know more about the things I would have to pay for once I got here like lunch, laundry and the social events. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
