Past Review

By (Health Policy & Management, Providence College) for

Boston University: London - London Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience was very worthwhile. I realize how America is viewed worldly. I can manage my way around a city all by myself. I gained more independence. I was able to experience with other American students who were in the same situation as myself. I returned home a more self-confidence, knowledgeable, less-ignorant, and more open to change and challenge person. I am excited for my future and for myself to grow more now, and I feel that had I stayed at PC, that would not have happened. I look forward to traveling in the future now, especially around the US now that I have traveled over Europe. And I also appreciate my home institution more after studying abroad.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The field trips I had, the teachers with their British perspective relative to our classes, their experience, and the similar background at BU to PC all helped me feel comfortable and learn a lot about London in a way I could never have known had I just visited it. My horizons are forever expanded.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I lived and took classes with American students, but was still able to meet brits through Imperial College if I wanted to by joining sports and club teams. My expectations were definitely met with the responsiveness of BU staff, both in Boston and in London. The staff in London was great as well. They would go out with us to the school parties and get-togethers.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing had a communcal kitchen you shared with others on the floor. I lived in the Crofton in a triple with two other BU girls. We had a bathroom to share with a shower. and 3 beds, no desks, but that worked out fine. It was really nice housing. The Crofton is the only dorm building with security 24/7. Really good-conditioned building. <br /><br /> It was a really nice housing area/apartment style place in the nicest area in London, South Kensington, and apparently one of the richest areas in Europe. Very safe, very classy, very fun. Two tube stops were within 10-15 minutes walking distance (High Street Kensington and Gloucester Road). A supermarket was 15 minutes away, and the classrooms 15 minutes away. I lived in the Crofton, there were two other dorms that were all within 15 minutes of each other.

* Food:

We had to purchase and cook our own food. I did learn how to shop and cook for myself on my own, which would have been the case back at school. There are kitchens in the dorms, but no way of having a meal plan. Perhaps a plan could have been worked out with the local college, but even so, we could have eaten there and just payed.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Trips were offered through the social programmes on our student pages that we could buy right on it. I got involved with a lot of trips that way. It was very enjoyable - Bath, rugby and football games, etc. The staff of BU London would come out with us on planned party nights and that was awesome, too.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never got sick, a doctor's office was available.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? clothing purchases. the style is great.

Language

Language acquisition improvement?

Sometimes I still write in proper english: For example, 'realize>realise, and behavior>behaviour.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The internship is a great experience to put on a resume. London is one of the greatest cities, and you can travel to other nearby countries easily. You learn to navigate your own way about the country and you realize how different the US and GB are.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Social Psychology, British Perspective

Course Department: CAS PS 365
Instructor: Stephen Clift
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was the core class I had to take for my track abroad. The material could be somewhat mundane and obvious at times. But there was a guest lecturer for two classes who worked at the BBC. (I actually saw her on the TV a few days after she had taught us, it was cool.) The field trips were very interesting, one to Sigmund Freud's residence in London and another to the British Refugee Council. You learned about issues in your own country, too, that you had previously been unaware of. We also learned about music's effect on emotions. The teacher was open to suggestions about what we wanted to learn. We had a paper, and an exam with 3 parts that we could prepare ahead of time.
Credit Transfer Issues: This course did not transfer equivalently, and counted only as a free elec.
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Issues in British Welfare

Course Department: CAS SO 321
Instructor: John MacNicol
Instruction Language: English
Comments: He covered all of the issues in the British welfare system. He gave us a great exposure to the NHS, ageism, etc. He had written a book that I used to write a paper on ageism. We wrote two papers, one of which was the written exam itself that we prepared ahead of time.
Credit Transfer Issues: This course did not transfer equivalently, and counted only as a free elec.
Course Name/Rating:

London Urbanism and Architecture

Course Department: CAS AH 381B
Instructor: Helen Evendon
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This class was great. One hour lecture, then 3 hours touring different areas of London each week with a professional architect. We toured her husband's architecture firm, one of the top two in London. Amazing experience and class that I would recommend to anyone. We had a paper, then two-essay exam we could prepare ahead of time.
Credit Transfer Issues: This transferred as a fine arts core.
Course Name/Rating:

Internship: Coombe Wood Mother & Baby Unit

Course Department: CAS PS 495
Instructor: Stephen Clift (track supervisor)
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I interned on a nursing unit in the NHS, as I am interested in pursuing healthcare and mother & infant care. I am possibly going to be a labor and delivery nurse, so the care and nursing aid techniques I learned on this unit were invaluable. It was an inpatient unit where new mothers with mental illness went to recover while bonding with the baby was structured and fostered. I also was able to compare the national health service to my previous hospital work experience back in the United States.
Credit Transfer Issues: This course did not transfer equivalently, and counted only as a free elective.