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They may still be speaking English in London, but it's a different world than the US.
AIFS: London - Richmond, The American International University in London
Program Information
Central London is just outside your door when you are living in AIFS residence halls in South Kensington, steps from Kensington Palace, the Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park. Hop on the Tube and visit Covent Gardens, Camden Market (where you can buy vintage clothes and jewelry at a bargain) or Piccadilly Circus.... More
| Provider: | AIFS |
| Location(s): | London, The United Kingdom |
| Year Founded: | 1964 |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Karinna P. (Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin) on August 27, 2010
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 1969-12-31 |
| * End Date: | 1969-12-31 |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Professors were not available outside of class time and were not clear on a major assignment. We could not submit papers electronically when school was closed for a Bank Holiday and could not print the papers. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There were times where the staff seemed annoyed at helping us. |
| * Housing: |
The family was not friendly. We expected someone to spend more time showing us other parts of the city, but it seemed more like a hotel. |
| * Food: |
I would have liked a meal plan at the university. Eating was expensive and limited our experience. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Globe theatre, all of the religous places, the West End and Leicester Square, Platform 9 3/4, Abbey Road, Buckingham Palace shops and museums, The British Museum, thrift stores |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Felt very safe |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did The University of Texas at Austin prepare and support you for your time abroad? |
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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? | Would have to see budget. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? | Yes |
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Stay another week or so after the program. You learn about so much but school can get in the way of your London experience. |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | Yes, I went to religous places I never thought I would have gone. It brought me closer to my own religous practices. I also volunteered with a group of Latinas now living in London and that was eye opening. |