Past Review
By Mateo (Biology and Community Health, Tufts University) for
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in London
I'm so glad I did this program. I fell in love with London, and I'm probably moving back there when I graduate. While I had already traveled all over Europe, it gave other people a chance to do that. I learned that their system of education works best for me, and I'm going to apply to grad school there. I got to explore the capital of the world, always had money in pocket, and was never bored. This is by far the best abroad program Tufts offers, I honestly can't imagine that it isn't.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Full-Year 2007 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The system worked great for me. Having all my tests at the end of the year made life really easy. You go to class during the week, don't work too hard, and basically have a blast for 8 months until April. Then in April you work your ass off for an entire month straight, take your exams in May and then that's it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Jaki kicks ass. She is the greatest, willing to help out with anything, listen to what she says! I did not on a few things and it came back to bite me in the ass. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
John Dodgson: live there. Good sized rooms with personal bathrooms. <br /><br /> John Dodgson is also right next to King's Cross, so several major bus and tube lines run right next to where you live. It's ideal for getting around London day and night. |
| * Food: |
Don't let people tell you English food sucks. Pub food is some of the most hearty awesome food every-Bangers and Mash is my personal favorite. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
British people aren't the greatest but London is one hell of a city anyways. There are so many people from all over the world, so many different little neighborhoods, hidden places to explore. I spent an entire year there and I still feel like I only saw the tip of the iceberg with that city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
London is very safe, I wouldn't worry about it, just don't go to South London and you'll be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The stipend they give you should cover everything easily, except for when you just get there. I suggest not buying kitchen equipment-just use the local's stuff. The only real expenses will be on stuff for your room. Other than that, if you shop at cheap places like Morrison's or the big Sainsbury's which are both up in Camden you should have more than enough money for food, booze, and fun. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
The English showed me that pants are really trousers, and underwear are really pants. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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're trying to improve language skills by going abroad, do a different program. If you want to see some of Europe while abroad, do this program. People often choose programs thinking that they'll do a lot of travelling to other places while they're abroad-the reality is you pretty much stay in one place. Don't settle for something that's not that great thinking you'll be gone every weekend to some other cool new place cause you won't be. And in London you won't want to-its absolutely amazing. But if you do want to go travel, Ryanair, the cheapest airline in Europe flies a majority of its flights out of England, and mostly London, so its the best for doing that as well. |
