My Perfect Summer Past Review
By Chris G (Communication and Media Studies, Trinity University) - abroad from 05/19/2015 to 08/01/2015 with
Boston University: London - London Internship Program
Having lived in the United States for my whole life, it was so eye-opening to spend time in a place where the culture is so completely different from mine. I was in an ethnic melting pot where anything I wanted to find, I probably could. The food was as divers as the people, and the city really is beautiful. I used to be anti-study abroad and I can easily say this was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic aspect of the program was no cake walk. We had daily readings and rigorous final exams (including a term paper in each course) but it was still a doable challenge. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We lived in a fantastic part of London where the staff were always friendly and outgoing! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
We had to cook for ourselves. This was not a problem for me, but some kids really struggle living in a foreign country for eight weeks not knowing how to properly the care of themselves. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I'm an extrovert who wanted to fit in with the locals. It was easy to get pulled into to the local culture (for me anyways). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never got sick but the medical staff and doctors were always one phone call away. |
| * Safety: |
Anywhere you go in there world you just have to be careful. Clearly London is far safer than a place like Syria but if you generally pay attention to your surroundings then everything will be just fine. I never had to worry at all when I was abroad! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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 so expensive. If money is an issue and you cannot receive scholarships than do not come here. You experience will be dampened significantly if you are constantly worrying about London. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $130-$150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn how to cook for yourself. You will go broke by going out to eat twice a day for a whole summer. If you can make your own food that tastes good and is healthful, then you will be alright. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That London is ridiculously expensive and that I really need to budget even more than I already did! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
