Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The most incredible experience in London and was worth every penny! Past Review

By (Utah Valley University) - abroad from 05/23/2012 to 06/27/2012 with

Utah Valley University: London - Literature and Theater

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It is crazy to say, but after only 5 weeks in London, I felt like I had lived there my whole life. You become like a local and start getting really comfortable with the city. I gained a lot of friends that travelled with me in the program that have the same interests and were experiencing all of the same things I was, and we have a lot of memories together from this trip. It was incredible to be studying Shakespeare and theatre in a city that is so entwined with those subjects. It was completely worth every penny and every late night. I would not only recommend doing a study abroad to people, but I would insist that people find a way to go on a study abroad.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $160
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go grocery shopping once a week and buy things that are easy to make like pasta and sandwiches. When it comes to laundry, see if there are others in your group that are willing to share a machine and split the cost. Give yourself a budget for treats like candy and ice cream so you can still spend money on extras like that, but not go crazy and blow your whole budget on treats.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Getting to see all of the sites.
  • Making lifelong friends in the program.
  • Getting to know the city like a local.
* What could be improved?
  • Having some meals included in the trip fees.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had learned how to better balance my time with homework and going out. I feel now that I should have been going out to see more of fthe city instead of sleeping in until classes started.