Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Excellent Experience!!! March 22, 2021

By (Columbia University) - abroad from 09/09/2019 to 12/12/2021 with

Queen Mary University of London Study Abroad programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I became more independent and confident in my ability to travel and meet new people.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful and friendly, but not a lot of ways to connect with other study abroad students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very nice and comfortable, but you should know that you are living with first years.

* Food:

I wasn't on the dining plan - instead I cooked. Queen Mary made this easy with the option to purchase a reasonably priced full kitchen/cooking set. I donated it at the end back to Queen Mary, since I didn't have room to take it home.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Through living with first years, I felt integrated with full time students. There was also plenty of suggestions about sites that we should see. Some of my courses involved field trips to cultural sites around London. I also joined the Outdoor's Society, which was an incredible way to hike around the United Kingdom and meet students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

During my last weeks of the program I got very sick and was unable to go to the campus health center, since you had to register and wait a week to get access. I went to the local emergency room, they were unhelpful as well. Ended up going to a private practice. Was a frustrating experience.

* Safety:

It didn't feel like there were enough alert public safety officers at night.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100

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
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • Shakespeare Class (conducted by Columbia Professor)
  • Making friends with people also on the Columbia in London program
  • Traveling to other European countries to visit friends abroad
* What could be improved?
  • Communication about health care access
  • More communication on registering for housing
  • More programs to connect study abroad students with each other
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You will be living with freshmen

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.