Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

London: Fun on a budget Past Review

By (Political Science and Government., Austin College) for

Arcadia: London - London Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Internship was worthwhile. Living in a different country awesome. School, was fine.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The Internship is great. The teaching is pretty good. The academic essay which is 7500 words is an absolute joke, nobody actually wants to do it, it's a horrible chore. The essay also can have nothing to do with your internship as long as you write 7500 words and is apparently weighted higher than the internship itself. A much better way to do things would be reflection papers tracking the students experiences throughout the program.This would be informative to arcadia and help in structuring the program. While the academic essay is done shottily by most students because there abroad. Students will try less when abroad save dissertations for the states.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It was good dealing with this many kids is a pain.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Get a flat, I did and it's way better than student housing dorms.

* Food:

I'm a good cook.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Amsterdam, Paris, London night life.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Safe.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Too much.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring alot of money if you plan on doing any traveling outside London.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Internship, culture, travel, nightlife.
* What could be improved?
  • Final paper, communication with administration.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Do not get student housing, get a flat. I cannot stress this enough student housing kids feel like there in a jail cell, they don't have a stove, TV, living room, etc. Even if your an hour away from school or internship go for the flat option. Unless you want to live in a dorm all semester.