The time of my life!!! Past Review
By Dakota H (Political Science and Government., Western Washington University) - abroad from 09/01/2013 to 12/14/2013 with
AIFS London - Richmond, The American International University in London
Words cannot explain how grateful I am to have embarked on this adventure. I was so nervous as all of you will be but it was such a great adventure. I some great friends that I will stay in touch with my whole life. I am also trying to find a way to get back to London someday.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This was a great school for political science and international relations. The professors were very great. I even had a Conservative MP teach my British Politics class half the time and the other professor was a frequent guest on BBC news. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everybody was very helpful. If you needed anything all you had to do was ask. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was not the best but it was in proximity to everything and it was located in the middle of a very nice part of town. Plus it was a 5 minute walk from two pubs and a 10 minute walk from the nearest tube station. |
| * Food: |
Really depends on how much you are willing to spend. You can really find any kind of food you want. Highly recommend Nandos. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The pubs is where you really get to immerse yourself into British culture and because there were pubs everywhere this was very easy. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I actually caught strep throat the last week of the program and the housing staff set up and appointment and everything for me. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe for the most part but you have to be smart and aware of your surroundings. London like any city has its rough parts. |
| 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) |
London is an extremely expensive place to live. I tried to keep my spending to $100 per month and this was very hard at times. The exchange rate was awful |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75-$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to the student bar during the week and save the clubs for the weekend. You will spend a lot less money |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | How much money I would spend!! |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
