I'm moving back. Past Review

By (Business Administration, Berea College) - abroad from 09/12/2012 to 12/15/2012 with

Arcadia: London - University of Westminster

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to live and budget in another country well and every moment was worthwhile.

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.

The papers were sometimes long and questions confusing, but overall not too difficult.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Location was really the only good thing.

* Food:

I self-catered.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no issues.

* Safety:

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)

London was expensive, but I budgeted well and had no issues.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around $80 with an averaged 1.6 exchange rate.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep up with all your receipts and track where your money goes. I was able to save loads of money that way.

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
  • International Students
* 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?
  • Location
  • School
* What could be improved?
  • Housing Options/costs
  • Better orientation
  • More transparency from Arcadia's part.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I should have tried to understand where extra fees would kick in.

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.'