Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

London: Not Enough Positive Adjectives Past Review

By (Communication and Media Studies., Fordham University) for

Syracuse University: London - Syracuse University in London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was amazing. Honestly the best four months of my life. I loved living around and constantly encountering people who did not have any of the same upbringing that I had. But I also completely and totally enjoyed all the Syracuse students in the program as well.

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 workload for a Communications major taking Comm classes was completely manageable and all the professors were incredibly willing to talk and help out with any part of the study abroad experience that they could.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The strengths were the people working there, all the administration and professors were very helpful and willing to make themselves available for the students. The weaknesses were that there was not a huge amount of real interaction between students who had not already met or interacted in their classes in London did not quite have the chance.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Indian food is great! STAY AWAY from Chinese food. It is repulsive and nothing compared to America.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved going to Bath with the program, it was a great bus ride and the town itself was really interesting and beautiful.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never had any problems, with any big city you must remember to practice common sense.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Per week I spent about 30 pounds on food, small things, and going out.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cooking my own food and eating the leftovers was probably the best thing I could do to save money, packing my own lunches for school and the like. Also, do not go to the cinema often, it is outrageously expensive.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • Traveling
  • All the culture
* What could be improved?
  • The Fordham's role in my program
  • More opportunity for pre-program interaction with abroad students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't be afraid to go if you don't know anyone from your university attending. I didn't and it ended up being the best four months of my life.