It is a life changing experience Past Review

By Emily B (Liberal Studies, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo) for

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: London - London Study Summer Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Yes. I learned how to live in another city, another place away from home. It was a challenge, but I grew from the challenges. I was taken away from all of my comforts and forced to see myself for who I was outside the context of San Luis Obispo or Santa Rosa--any of the places that I have called home in the past. As a result, I have grown in my understanding of other cultures and of myself. And I now have another place to call home--London.

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.	I loved how applicable it was! We got to see the places that we read about!
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	They did everything they could to prepare us well. I appreciate it.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I feel like this was the one thing that I found difficult. I did not like the kitchen situation, because everyone left their dishes and food out so making meals was almost impossible.
* Food:	There were amazing places to go for meals. I loved it!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I loved meeting everyone. I did not meet as many English people as I would have liked, but then again it was only 6 weeks. I made some very close friends here!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I felt very safe here. And they thoroughly went through all of the safety and health procedures here.
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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Please consider it. It is a life changing experience and I would not have chosen otherwise.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Romantic Literature in London
Course Department:	English S333
Instructor:	Catherine Waitinas
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	It was challenging but that was ok. Yes, it completely made use of the location. We were studying the poetry of London and went to go see the places that were discussed in the poem. The teacher was very knowledgeable and well prepared. It was better than any english class i have taken.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No.

Course Name/Rating:	London: Roman Colony
Course Department:	HUM S316
Instructor:	John Makey
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I also loved this course! What made this course great was the professor, John Makey. He was extremely knowledgeable and made the whole experience of the history of London really enjoyable. I loved how he linked the subject material in our classes with various field trips. It was also great how he had the class interact with the material through our presentations on different topics.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No.

Course Name/Rating:	World Drama
Course Department:	Theater S390
Instructor:	Josh Machamer
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I really loved this course. We got to go see 16 different plays while in London. Then we discussed each one in class. I grew to see theater in a different way and really found appreciation for each one.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No.