I had a very conflicted experience. Some of my courses didn't transfer, which added insult to injury Past Review
By Charley (Carthage College) for
Queen Mary University of London Study Abroad programme
I felt like the educational program was inferior to my own university. I was concerned about graduating on time, which is why I chose an English university over a German university, although I did know some German. I would not have done this again. Some courses didn't transfer over anyway! And really, London is the most expensive city I have ever lived in. I really couldn't afford it. I did have fun. Museums were free, and there were always events to keep busy. My flatmates were very nice and we hung out often. So it wasn't all bad, and I definitely did have a multi-cultural experience, East London is very different from Kenosha Wisconsin! But I would have chosen my program a lot more carefully. Although I wish I would have gone somewhere else, I am still glad that I studied abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Very little support, Professors seemed distant and unwilling to talk with students or invest into curriculum. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Since I applied on my own, I had major difficulties in receiving materials related to my classes and receiving support. If I had gone through a program that might have been different; it seemed students who did had their hands held. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Fire alarms all the time, very annoying, but otherwise great housing. |
| * Food: |
I lived in a very multicultural area and loved the food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You have to pay to join student groups and clubs, which just wasn't worth it since I was a student for one semester. So I felt alienated from the campus at large. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It was a bad area and there was a lot of violent crime during my stay. Sometimes I did not feel safe walking at night. The student health issues seemed to be addressed by the school, however. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be careful with classes you take, make sure they will transfer over. Pick your college carefully and make sure you will have the support you need. But above all, have fun and make sure your studies are not clouded by regret. |
