Great city, interesting internship Past Review

By (Film, Video, Photographic Arts, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/03/2018 to 12/10/2018 with

Arcadia: London - London Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained independence and learned to advocate for myself when I was feeling overwhelmed. I'm much more experienced travelling on my own now and have more confidence to take on new or unknown experiences.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was very nice, in easy walking distance from shops and public transport.

* Food:

No food was provided, but kitchens worked well and there was enough space for everything needed.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

This is hard question to answer. I think the internship aspect of the program was extremely interesting and valuable and allowed me to experience London in a way I wouldn't have if I were just taking classes. However, the requirement of the internship to be 24 hours a week, while taking three classes with an hour commute everywhere I needed to go was extremely tiring and left me with little time or energy to explore or really enjoy my time abroad.

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)

London is very expensive, it's possible to live on a student budget especially if you make your own meals, but it's hard to eat out without spending a good amount of money, especially considering the exchange rate.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook your own food, use public transportation (it's really easy and will get you almost anywhere in the city)

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The city
  • The internship placement
  • Living situation
* What could be improved?
  • More available counseling if the workload becomes overwhelming, I was never directed to a counselor even though I approached the academic director about feeling overwhelmed with my workload
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how much work the program would be as well as how important it would be to make friends in the beginning of the program. Having people to talk to and do things with would have made the experience better.