A Truly Life Changing Experience Past Review
By Anthony (Ball State University) - abroad from 01/08/2018 to 05/08/2018 with
AIFS London - Richmond, The American International University in London
I learned that you can truly do ANYTHING you set your mind to. It was the best decision I've made in my life thus far.
Personal Information
| 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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
On-site administration was amazing and super responsive. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Collingham Gardens, which is in my opinion the best option along with Courtfield. |
| * Food: |
Food in the dining hall was typical college food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I fit in great. I miss it so much! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Though it was easy accessible, it was very expensive. I recommend exploring other options outside of the doctor that the university recommends. |
| * Safety: |
It's just as safe as any other big city. Keep an eye on your surroundings and don't be naive. I mostly traveled around the city with friends until I felt comfortable going places alone. Download the city mapper app to navigate with public transport. Makes everything a lot easier. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would choose the exact same program. The only thing I would have done differently is studied abroad earlier in my college career so that I could have possibly done it again. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably about 70 to 100 pounds. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Work work work the summer and semester before you plan to go. The more money you save the more comfortable you will be. London is expensive just like New York and Los Angeles, and the conversion rate doesn't make it any better. |
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? | That London can be very expensive. I would have managed my money a bit differently. |
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. |
