Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best thing I've done in college. Past Review

By (Photography., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/01/2013 to 06/18/2013 with

Brigham Young University: London - London Study Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It's hard to put into words what this experience did for me. I feel like everyone in the program learned very personal life lessons. Being away from your normal surroundings and not only learning, but living with and experiencing new and exciting things with the same group of people allows you to learn things about yourself as you interact with others that would be hard to learn back at school in Provo. Living under the same roof as your professors is also a really good networking opportunity and a chance to feel like they really care about you and your educational goals. I had conversations with my professors about my academic goals that I would never have had if I had been sitting in a lecture hall in Provo with 250 other students. I also learned a lot from their families--they were such remarkable examples of how good families function and I think all of the students will look to them as models for when they start their own families in the future.

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.

I felt like the directors were very good at giving assignments that got us out into the city. All of the assignments were very applicable to what we were seeing and none felt like busy work.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

100% satisfied with the at-home feel of the center and the places we stayed while traveling

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about 100 pounds
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Come up with a budget before you leave. (Aka, tell yourself you're only going to spend a certain amount each week then stick to it) You really don't have to spend a lot while you're there, it's just something you should do so you can experience the food/market/economy/shows part of the culture. I felt like the money I spent was worth it, but you don't have to spend a ton if you don't want to.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • splitting the time between living at the centre and traveling the other parts of England--I felt like I got so much more out of my experience because I got to see so many places, and not just on day trips but for a couple days in each place
  • the professors and their families
  • the assignments-I felt like our directors did a really good job balancing the homework load and making sure our assignments took us out into the city
* What could be improved?
  • I wish we talked a little more about the history of the places we visited so we understood their significance more in-depth
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I don't know that I would have wanted to know anymore than I did going into it. Half of the adventure was figuring it out and making the city my own by discovering it through my own experiences.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.