London: My future home Past Review
By Amnesty R (Sociology., New Mexico State University) for
USAC England: London - Undergraduate and Graduate Courses
After being here I will be returning in the Fall for grad school! It changed what I wanted in life and showed me the path to take in the next step of my life which starts the day I return to the US. The things I learned here couldn't have come at a better time as I'm graduating and moving on!
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Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The UK system is very different, but not hard to get use to. The work load was less then expected, but there is great enphesis on your own drive to do provided reading. If you do not do these readings, you will fail exams as things on the exams are not always mentioned in class. So GO TO CLASS and READ everything they tell you to. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
London met as two lovely ladies who do most of the work and they do an amazing job keeping up with everyone, planning international student events and transcript things. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
USAC offers to place you at NIDO. Do NOT stay here, do the extra work and find somewhere else. It is expensive, you pay WAY to much, staffing sucks and the facilities are not worth what you pay. I'd suggest gumtree.com or even craigslist or use the London met website to look at accommodations. Kings Cross NIDO sucks and it was the worst part of my experience. Payed $4000 for 3 months of living (actually under 3 months) and had the room over the courtyard. Always loud, my room was always filled with smoke, it was just no good. Plus for that you don't get access to public kitchens and the kitchenettes are worthless. So many problems with this place. The website looks fantastic, but its just worthless! |
| * Food: |
London food isnt great, but its not horrible, you'll get use to it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The London Eye night was amazing as we went at night, and USAC had a representative take us out to the fireworks show at Battersea Park for Guy Faulks night, it was amazing!! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I got hit by a taxi, so be VERY careful. Luckily wasnt hurt more then a few bruises but keep in mind that its a real problem. Generally though I felt pretty safe, even with my accommodations being in a part of town I found out later isn't the safest. Keep your belongings close, but I had no problems with that. |
| 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? | Budget, Budget, Budget, its gonna cost you a ton! But its worth every Penny. I didn't know beer would be so much. London is just expensive though. If you still want to go to the UK but want to spend less, go to a school outside of London, living costs are alot cheaper, going out is like 1/3 less from what I hear and housing is a bit cheaper. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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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? | If you want something new and exciting, this place is for you! |
