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London: Same Language, Different Life
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:
Jessica B. (Art History, Indiana University of Pennsylvania) on September 03, 2010
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2010-01-11 |
| * End Date: | 2010-05-07 |
| 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. |
My classes were so amazing, I learned so many things. The professors graded a bit harder than in the US. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Someone was always there to help you via e-mail or in person. I couldn't have had a better experience. I worked and I played and met so many new friends that will last a lifetime. |
| * Housing: |
I was a very posh neighborhood in the borough of Kensington. I felt beyond safe, I was close to everything I needed and the public transportation is AMAZING!!! |
| * Food: |
The food was good, but not a extremely wide variety for a vegetarian, I was very happy that meals were provided though! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All events school related were very beneficial to meeting people and getting to travel at a low price! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safer there then I do in the US, London, even some more urban parts comforted me. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did Indiana University of Pennsylvania 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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Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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
| * 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? | This program is for anyone I believe, I am an outgoing "hippie" who living in a posh area felt at home. You can stay in your neighborhood or take the train to France. A wide spectrum can be accommodated by this program in London. Meals are included which is good for your wallet! I had the time of my life. |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | My life has been changed so drastically. I was stuck pre-London. I didn't know what direction I wanted to go, where I wanted to be after graduating with a BA. After being in London and traveling the UK, Europe and, Morocco I realized that there are so many things I want to do and London released the inner me, I felt at peace and comfortable. Like I said, I went to Morocco for Spring Break alone, and when I flew back into Heathrow I actually started crying because I was so happy to be in London. Even now writing this I am getting butterflies. This is the feeling of being "Home." I already plan on looking for a job over there after graduation. I HAD A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE. |