The best semester of college! Past Review

By (Valparaiso University) - abroad from 01/12/2012 to 05/17/2012 with

Valparaiso University: Cambridge - Valparaiso University Study Center

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of insight into local cultures and the ability to travel by myself. It was great to have a semester with completely different expectations and goals; it was similar to getting a break from normal life. Was it worthwhile? Absolutely.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Although interaction with other students was extremely limited, the British professors were great.

* 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?

Integration is not set up particularly well by the program, but possible with not too much individual effort

* 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? No

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)

Cambridge is an expensive area, but if you cook for yourself and don't go out too often or travel too extensively it is possible to stay within a reasonable budget.

* 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? $60-$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Form a dinner group to share cooking duties with and really explore options when traveling.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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?
  • House located close to downtown Cambridge
  • Opportunity to get to know the local professors
  • Experiencing local culture
* What could be improved?
  • The pre-departure meetings could include a lot more useful information in preparation for traveling
  • The order of group excursions and trips needs rearranged
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how little interaction I would have with local students, and therefore I would choose the Anglia Ruskin program if I was to go again.