Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A good experience, but nothing to brag about Past Review

By (Urban Studies, Clark University - Worcester) - abroad from 01/14/2015 to 05/25/2015 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: London, England

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
International work experience and the chance to travel.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

London has okay food considering it is an international city. They are known for their Indian food, which was good, but I have better in both NYC and Worcester, MA.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The downside to the program is you are stuck with a bunch of Americans and really have to go out of your way to meet anyone your age native to London or any other international students. It was cool to get to know coworkers on a semi-informal basis, but you can only relate so much to people superiors with an age gap standing between you,

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Top notch. Got a referral and appointment very quickly. Doctor was friendly and helpful. Easy to fill my Rx. CAPA staff walked me through the whole process of navigating a foreign health care system.

* 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)

Central London is expensive, but it is like anywhere else, you need to be a smart shopper and not waste food once you buy it and you'll be fine.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-$150

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

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Internship
  • Easier classes
  • 3-person apartment
* What could be improved?
  • integrate with local students
  • change internship class
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? London doesn't get terribly cold during the winter, but if you travel to somewhere like Paris in the dead of winter, you need layers or a heavy winter jacket. Pack a hat, gloves, scarf, for the cold and a bathing suit incase you go somewhere warm for spring break. It didn't rain nearly as much as I expected.

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 Linguist
You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Learning through internships
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: Did not learn anything, the class was a joke and a complete waste of time. Essays assignments were stupid and required more bullshitting then actual self reflection and critical thought. If this course is necessary, and I think the concept of an internship class could be beneficial, it should be completely restructured to actually aid in the internship experience and help students get something out of it instead of attempting to force students into pretending it was meaningful to collect good quotes for reviews and advertising.
Credit Transfer Issues: