Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Can I Go Back Now? Past Review

By (Western Washington University) - abroad from 01/10/2017 to 05/04/2017 with

AIFS London - Richmond, The American International University in London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am way more independent, confident, and capable in general. I'm a family-oriented homebody, and studying abroad showed me what it's like to travel and live on your own. It really changed how I live and my goals for the future. It was absolutely worth it.

Review Photos

AIFS London - Richmond, The American International University in London Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Through AIFS, you could take any classes Richmond offered. You weren't academically limited as a study abroad student.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

My resident directors were AMAZING. They were so nice, and had an open-door policy if you needed anything. They let you be independent if you wanted, but they were there for you at the same time.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My flat in Kensington was more than I ever could have asked for. It was a really safe area, as well.

* Food:

We got breakfast and dinner every weekday, and it was surprisingly good most of the time!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Richmond is an international university, so we got to take classes with locals and people from all across the world. It really made a difference in terms of how much I felt I was immersing myself in London culture and not secluding myself in my program.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't need it, but I know my friends used it while we were there. It's easy enough, and the resident directors help you along the way.

* Safety:

My housing was in the safest area of London, and we are taught once we get there how to stay safe in a foreign city.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

London was my perfect place in general. I'm a big city girl, and I loved the diversity. Aside from that, though, the housing situation couldn't have been better. AIFS put us right in Kensington, and nothing can beat that. I made the best friends there, and I can't wait to go back.

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)

I didn't come with a whole lot of money, but it's easy to budget in a place like London. There's so much stuff to do for free, and most of your meals are included in the program fee.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50-$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan side trips ahead! That's where most of my money went, and if I had a better idea of where I wanted to travel before I came to London, it might have saved me some money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Housing
  • The city in general
  • My school/classes
* What could be improved?
  • Food/meal plan
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much money I would have liked to spend, so I could have made more of an effort to save up.

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 Urbanite
A 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.