Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My semester in London was amazing; I enjoyed every day of it. Past Review

By (Physics., Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/02/2014 to 06/06/2014 with

Arcadia: London - Queen Mary University of London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience abroad really exposed me to know what it is like to live in another country for a long period of time.

Review Photos

Arcadia: London - University of London: Queen Mary Photo Arcadia: London - University of London: Queen Mary Photo Arcadia: London - University of London: Queen Mary Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

* Food:

* 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? 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)

I was able to live on a student's budget without any difficulty. But, for London you definitely have to know where to look to find the cheapest option for certain things like food.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~$80
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan your budget at the beginning of your time abroad; create a goal to spend a certain amount of money each month and divide it between necessities such as food and fun things such as eating out, touristy things, or travelling.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Opportunity to live with local students
  • The courses I took were quite interesting.
  • Everybody was quite friendly.
* What could be improved?
  • Library book availability
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew a little bit more about the difference in course structure. While I felt that the material had the same level of difficulty to courses I have taken here, the fact the lectures are not as frequent and that the courses are more exam-based was different.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'