London: BOREDOM! Past Review

By (History, English, Trinity University) for

Arcadia: London - Goldsmiths, University of London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
No.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It wasn't hard at all. I actually got bored within the first month and quit going to class. The professors at Goldsmiths treat American students differently. Because we aren't enrolled full-time for the year, our only requirement, at least in all my English classes, was one paper, 6 pages max in length. I just had to choose something I'd learned and write a paper about it. And I passed. I was rather disappointed with not having a challenge.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Arcadia doesn't do a lot with you after the first week. They take you to some plays and around the city of London, then they just leave you. Sure, you have the option of going on these weekends trips, but they're not really checking up on you or anything. When I got stuck in London for an extra week, they didn't really do anything to help me.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It wasn't terrible. Kind of sad that I didn't get to be around British people. That made it harder to integrate into the school system and make friends who were British. But my American friends were OK. We had themed dinners and stuff throughout the semester.

* Food:

They don't use spices. It's rather depressing. And you were totally on your own for food. There wasn't really a cafeteria, just a pub.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I went around London and into other countries by myself. Arcadia had nothing to do with it.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

They went through everything in the first week.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't go on it unless you plan to be bored or not want to do any schoolwork.