An Torrential English Year (because it rains a lot haha) March 29, 2021
By Madison Swenson Ruiz (University of California - Santa Barbara) - abroad from 09/13/2018 to 06/15/2019 with
University of California EAP (UCEAP): London - UC London Bloomsbury Center
I learned so much about MYSELF honestly. It was a very hard year and I found that I struggle with mental illness and being in a place that has free healthcare really immersed me in understanding that I need to ask for what I need. I learned some imperative life skills and feel like I can never go back to who I was before I studied abroad!
Review Photos
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:
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It is so important to make friends with people who are FROM the country you are in. I would never have learned as much as I did without my English pals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare was EASILY accessible. Before moving to England I never knew you could just go to the doctor and ask for help about things all of the time, which seems silly. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved the people I met in England. I think also I personally really enjoy English culture; being generally antisocial, enjoying walking and picnics in the sun, PUBS, street art and food. London diversity is incredible as well. |
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? | $60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Apply for SCHOLARSHIPS. Tons available for study abroad students and it makes things so much easier to not have to worry about money when you are in a new country |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That seasonal depression hits way harder than you think. That rain for the 3rd day in a row does not mean that you can stay inside 3 days in a row. That you need to GET UP every day and ASK for help if you need it. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
