Studing in London was the best decision I ever made in College. Past Review
By Walter T (RTVF, San Jose State University) for
University of Roehampton: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It made me worldly artistically and politically. I now have a broad network of friends. Because of it, I see a career in the State Department as a second career choice later in life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I only wish the university had better or equal equipment to SJSU. Especially since I couldn't bring my own editing system and/or camera to work on my film production. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Strengths: Program had knowledgeable film analysts and provided me with a more global perspective of film. Improve acting and writing expanded my mind from the Hollywood formula. Weakness: Equipment like Video Cameras and Editing Bays were out of date and difficult to have access to. Expected the University to have similar equipment as SJSU. It would have been nice if we could have access to editing bays in the evening too. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I rented bedding sheets from the university and bought basic cooking necessities for the kitchen. My flat mates were kind enough to share their utensils with me too. The cleaning service of Frobel Dorm was wonderful and trustworthy, they cleaned our kitchen and my in-room bathroom. |
| * Food: |
I enjoyed the fact that I had my own kitchen to cook my meals. Which made me save a fortune in food. Since food is expensive in London. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program didn't do much for it's film students. I took initiative and enjoyed London. I became really close with locals and other exchange students, which enabled me to enjoy my experience there. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I didn't have any health issues, so I couldn't comment on that. But the university has a clinic that helps their students from minor ailments to providing contraceptives. If any serious injuries occur, St Mary's Hospital is just across the street. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you are studying abroad, plan accordingly. Save up your money leading up to the study abroad experience, if you can avoid working when you are abroad, do it. Especially if you are only there for a semester. Make the best of your time there. I nearly burned myself out the semester before I departed for London just so I had the money to live in London. It was worth the suffering. |
