Intense Self-Evaluation at LAMDA Past Review
By Josephine H (Theater Studies & Political Science, Wellesley College) for
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes, it was nice to get to know a new city so well. I now know that American professors point out connections for students whereas British professors expect the student to come up with those connections and use them to learn more.
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. |
LAMDA teaches you great tools for acting. The faculty members are passionate about their craft and want to endow you with the tools to succeed on stage. However, the opportunity to use the tools and practice technique are limited. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The LAMDA Semester Program administrator was FANTASTIC. He also taught a class so we actually got to interact with him and get to know him. He was approachable and took our comments very seriously and really cared about our welfare. The program would be very different without Stephen. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
LAMDA arranged our housing. It was a lot more expensive than getting a flat, but there was security and housekeeping. The building was also in a good location and most people in the program were housed together. |
| * Food: |
LAMDA didn't have a cafeteria. I cooked at home and brought my food. I often had to bring both lunch and dinner. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The field trip to Stratford-upon-Avon was fun and LAMDA provided some tickets to shows. The LAMDA community was really supportive and welcoming. Overall, I had a great time socially and culturally. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
LAMDA claimed to have a doctor, but it was unclear where this doctor was and how healthcare worked in London. Some people in my program just went to random clinics and things seemed to work out. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250-300 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy food in bulk and find the nearest Poundland ($1 store equivalent.) Money saved can go toward afternoon tea on the weekends, travel, and pubbing. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You have to have a strong interest in acting to do this program. The teachers will challenge your passion and your interest and force you to confront why you want to be an actor. It is both harrowing and enriching, but rewarding to survive the questioning and exploration. |
