Sub-par Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/03/2019 to 06/09/2019 with

Queen Mary University of London Study Abroad programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think I learned how to ask for help when I need it and learned how to voice concerns or issues in uncomfortable situations.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The majority of my modules were structured poorly and the professors/lecturers did a poor job at teaching the material. I felt that I did not have adequate academic support especially around exam time. Because of this, I feel like I learned very little during my semester abroad.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I did not interact with much of the administration. The abroad office was very nice and went out of there way to make me feel supported, however could not necessarily assist with everything I needed academically due to a lack of resources.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

As an abroad student coming in the Spring semester of my third year of university, I felt that living in first-year accommodations was strange due to the age difference and the fact that they had already been there an entire semester prior to my arrival. Because it is difficult to meet other students, I feel that abroad students should be housed together because it would help students more easily integrate into the community and establish connections with other students in the same position as them.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

City-wise I felt that I was relatively well integrated. It was easy to get used to the pace of the city and culture of the environment. At the actual school, however, I felt like I was not given the adequate resources and environment to be able to integrate properly. Instead I felt isolated because I had no opportunity to get to know the other abroad students in a social setting and lived with first-year students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to go to A&E because I was very ill and I had no issues being seen (other than the waiting time). They took a blood test, attached me to an IV, prescribed antibiotics. Great service overall. On campus, I saw one of the counselors for a few sessions of therapy. They were very kind and supportive. My only issue was the sheer amount of time it took to get an appointment, but I understand the demand. I feel like there should be a counselor who deals specifically with abroad/exchange students because we are not there for a long time and cannot wait as long as full-time students because it may be too far in the semester to resolve the issues that the student needed help with.

* Safety:

The campus was not located in the safest neighborhood, and while the surrounding area doesn't necessarily reflect the safety of the campus, I felt that there was not nearly enough security (one guard by the East Gate). Anyone could walk into campus at any hour of the night regardless of whether or not they are a student which could present potentially dangerous situations.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Absolutely not. Direct enrollment was a big mistake as it was not as accommodating to abroad students as a typical abroad program.

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)

London is very expensive. There are not cheap supermarkets within walking distance from campus. The ones close by have a more limited selection and are more expensive than other options.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • the size of my room
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Courses
  • Integration of Students into community
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The actual location and environment around the school, the way that classes worked, the fact that I would be housed with freshmen, the lack of resources specifically for abroad students, structure of classes, etc.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.