Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Take me back to London. Past Review

By (English and Communications, Hope College) - abroad from 09/02/2014 to 12/12/2015 with

IES Abroad: London Direct Enrollment - City University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
For me, the real experience was in walking along the Thames in the evening, meeting a movie star at the London Film Festival in Leicester Square, riding the Piccadilly Line to get to a theatre production of Once on Shaftesbury Avenue, sketching in the National Gallery, hearing someone say ‘Cheers!’ when I sign a receipt at Nando’s, laying out on the grass in Bloomsbury Square park after class, and looking at handwritten lyrics by John Lennon at the British Library. What I remember most won’t be buying a cell phone plan, signing health waivers, and being assigned to a certain room at a hostel during the fieldtrip to Bath, but I’m glad my study abroad program was there to organize the things that were necessary for me to enjoy my study abroad experience. If you’re anything like me and have been waiting for the chance to go to England (or go any place at all), study in London because I think there’s a good chance you’ll love it too.

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 good food, but it wasn't included in the program.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt like a Londoner, but if I would have been more integrated into the culture if I had done more clubs/events with British students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe while I lived in London.

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)

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
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The staff
* What could be improved?
  • Getting us from the airport to our living accomodations.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about daily expenses in London.

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!