Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Awesomesauce Adventures Abroad Past Review

By (Western Washington University) - abroad from 04/01/2012 to 06/16/2012 with

GEO: London -Study Abroad Programs in London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My artistic skills improved exponentially just from the museum excursions and the opportunities to visit historic places in person. It was incredibly worthwhile and I will remember it always.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Very academically intense! We were always going somewhere, doing something, and busy, busy, busy. I can't even count all the museums we went to. I learned a great deal and was pushed a lot to get done

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff is wonderful in London!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was lovely and took great care of me. They were total sweethearts and involved us in in everything. Short walk to the tube station, and there was a Sainsbury's on the way to or from the station if I needed to pick up something for dinner.

* Food:

Our host family fed us four days out of the week, and our host mom was always really flexible if we had a show at night and wouldn't be able to make it to dinner. Host-mom's food was wonderful and delicious, and I usually went out for lunch and there's lots of food places a quick walk from the school. Indian food is very plentiful and very good in London. On the other hand - do not eat the Mexican. Half of our class had a very bad experience (luckily I was across the street having noodles) and it left all of us scarred, just hearing about it.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We were told "you know you're fully integrated when you elbow an old lady to get onto the tube." It sounds horrible but... it's pretty true. You need to be confident in order to get on the tube during rush hour

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I got sick early in the quarter, and my host-mother took great care of me, helped get me medicine and made sure I ate well so I could get healthy.

* Safety:

London seems to be a jay-walking city. but some people cut it pretty close, so be careful when crossing the street. Just because some locals are crossing doesn't mean there isn't a car - or a bus - coming. Other wise it is pretty safe

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? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? London is an expensive city. To save money, cut back on alcohol, try to make bagged lunches if you can, or search out the best deals around school for lunch (there's a nice salad place, a burrito place, etc).

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • The excursions
  • The faculty
  • My friends and host family
* What could be improved?
  • Predeparture communication concerning internship information, etc
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Just buy a hairdryer there - fried mine even with a transformer. it is cold and rainy so bring an umbrella, even if that's so not cool - the rain is heavy and comes out of nowhere... and sometimes becomes hail for no particular reason. Even though it's spring, it is still COLD: bring less spring dresses and more warm things.