Habitable May 22, 2022

By (Cinema and Politics and Government, University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/15/2022 to 05/21/2022 with

API (Academic Programs International): London - University of Westminster

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It helped me learn how to navigate a foreign city.

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.

You get almost no assignments throughout the whole semester until the very end. That is very stressful.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I love the public transportation. It was extremely simple and very extensive, more so than Copenhagen, Stockholm, Amsterdam, or Paris.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The bathroom was too small. I have been in showers the same size as the entire bathroom.

* Food:

The fish in fish and chips is good, but the chips get kind of soggy quickly. I enjoyed chicken and mushroom flavored Pot Noodle, but they weren't good enough that it makes me want to go back to the UK for them. However, I love Cadbury.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had difficulty. The clubs tended to have a rule that you could not go in alone. I almost always went out by myself so I couldn't go into any of them. Socialists are more culturally acceptable and it made me uncomfortable. One of my roommates almost always had a local boyfriend in our flat and he once called me a midget. Apparently that's more acceptable in London, but that is something I absolutely do not tolerate and so I kicked him out for a few days.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never really had any issues that led to me needing to access healthcare. However, I did catch Covid, but I just self-isolated in my room and never needed to go to the hospital. I cannot really give much of rating on this.

* Safety:

I might have felt worried about myself in some locations, but I never actually was in any danger, there was a mall that warned of pick pockets, but I never got pick pocketed. This is in stark contrast to Paris which constantly warns you of pick pockets.

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

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • Public transportation
* What could be improved?
  • Cultural sensitivity
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish a knew that being called a midget isn't such a big deal in London. I know I have mentioned this so many times before and while it only happened once, it was a big moment for me as it caused conflict with my roommates.