Greates decision I ever made Past Review
By bmwinn (Western Washington University) - abroad from 06/09/2012 to 06/30/2012 with
AIFS London - Richmond, The American International University in London
I gained much more independence and self confidence. Before I left, I thought that Washington was where I was going to live for the rest of my life. After living somewhere else, even if for only three weeks, I realized that it's a big world out there, and I can live wherever I want.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Richmond University |
| 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. |
The professor was very friendly, but he moved very quickly through all of his information. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone working through AIFS was very friendly and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorm I stayed in was fairly old, but unique and cool in its own way |
| * Food: |
I really loved the food selection. There was a variety of options and I never really had a problem with it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Within a week of the program, I was really starting to feel like I lived in London and I felt like I belonged there. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health issues while abroad |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe the entire time I was there. I was never pick pocketed but I think a few people had tried. I was always very aware of my purse; the only time I had to be careful about it was in clubs. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
I was probably spending 100-200 Pounds a week, but there are ways to spend even less if necessary. We had a food card that gave us a two meal allowance a day. I found that buying some groceries really helped save money. |
| * 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? | $100-300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be sure to budget your money and be conscious of how much you are spending, especially with the currency exchange rate. If you are going to clubs or pubs, order cheaper drinks. Buying groceries like breakfast and lunch foods or snacks helps to save money as well. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish that I would have chosen to go longer than I did. |
