London and Paris: The opportunity of a lifetime Past Review
By Kayla G (Accounting, University of Northern Iowa) for
University of Northern Iowa: Traveling - UNI Capstone in London and Paris
The study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile. I learned more about different cultures and how those cultures feel about Americans. I gave this trip a 4 because it was a lot of fun and I learned a lot, but I got a little bored at some points of the trip. My experience abroad did not change my future plans, but it has made me want to travel more to see different countries.
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I thought the workload was fine. I liked that there wasn't any tests, and it was just papers and presentations. I think we could be given a little more time for our work after our return. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I think our faculty leader could've been a little better. He did well with trying to get to know everyone in our group, but lacked including everyone in some events. He did not know the country very well, but he did know a lot about the sites we were visiting. He did a very good job about re-adjusting plans when things didn't work out (flight delays, etc.) |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
In London, I didn't like the hostel itself, but the neighborhood was fine. It seemed more like a tourist area because there were a lot of tourist shops by us which was nice. The people staying in that hostel were from all over the world and were very friendly. In Paris, I loved the hostel, but the neighborhood was kind of scary. I saw a physical fight between a man and a woman not too far from our hostel. I felt safe inside the hostel, but I was scared to go outside the hostel alone. |
| * Food: |
I was very satisfied with the food. I ate a lot of pasta which was all delicious. The burgers weren't very good, so I don't recommend those. In Paris, the crepes were very good along with any type of pastry. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Most of the time I felt safe, but I didn't know how scary London and Paris can be. It would have been nice to be warned. |
| 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) |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would tell people to be open-minded and not be stuck in American ways. I think a person who doesn't get to travel a lot would benefit the most from this trip because I feel that they would take advantage of most of the opportunities. |
