Great Independent Learning Program Past Review
By A student (Public Health., American University) - abroad from 09/02/2014 to 12/13/2014 with
IES Abroad: London & Oxford - Health Practice & Policy
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in London through IES Abroad. I ultimately chose this program because of the classes I would be taking. As a public health major interested in global health policy, the classes corresponded wonderfully to my academic goals and allowed me further explore possible career opportunities in social services and public health. In addition to the London courses, this program program ends with a field study in Kingston, Jamaica. We spent about a week there volunteering at health clinics and learning about the health system in Jamaica and the Caribbean. I will say that I probably learned more in Jamaica than I did in London the past 3 months. It was a great way to end the program and I am infinitely thankful for the experience in Jamaica.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
As a public health major interested in global health policy, the classes in the Health Practice and Policy Program corresponded wonderfully to my academic goals and allowed me further explore possible career opportunities in social services and public health. That being said, I would only recommend this program if you are sure what you want to study and what you want to get out of this program. I loved that it involved a lot of independent learning - I got to self-direct my learning in my courses. If I wanted to focus more on understanding past international health laws, I could choose to do more reading about that and get really great answers out of my professor. If I wanted to understand how international actors get involved in health policy, I could choose to focus on that. The teachers do their best to teach you what YOU want to learn. That was true in all of my classes. So, if you are unsure of what you want to learn, you might find yourself a bit lost in this program. However, if you know what you want to learn, you can really get a lot out of this program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Good location, but living with an American roommate doesn't help meet the locals |
| * Food: |
Food is expensive in London, but you do have the option to cook for yourself in the kitchen instead of eating out every day. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All courses in the Health Practice and Policy program were with American students. Living arrangements are with other IES students, so they are also American. There are not many built-in opportunities to meet British people unless you do so yourself, and that can be difficult in the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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 expensive. Plan on spending more than you would usually spend on food in a large American city. Even if you cook for yourself, it will be expensive. |
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? | - London isn't nearly as cold as the upper midwest or northeast. Pack lightly. - You get what you put into your experience. If you know what you want, you'll learn lots. - The teachers are great and are there to help you learn what YOU want to learn. Be involved and take advantage of these great professors and qualified professionals in their field. |
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! |
