Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Time of My Life Past Review

By (University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/23/2017 to 06/03/2017 with

Regent’s University London: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be more independent. I was in a foreign city/country on my own not knowing anyone. I gained the ability to go out and do things on my own while still managing to have fun. I also gained the ability to talk to new people and make new friends, which is something that I struggled with before going abroad. I learned to budget my money and spend more on experiences than superficial items like clothes. Going into this program I had never had a roommate before. When I arrived at the school I was put into a room with two other girls. Learning how to adapt to that kind of situation was one of the biggest things I've ever had to do. I had to learn how to share a small space and rearrange my sleeping schedule, but it was so worth it because I really had the best roommates possible.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved the location of where I was living. I had so much fun with the different types of people I met including locals and other Americans. I met so many people from other countries and getting to talk to them was a real eye opening experience.

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
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Stock up and bring basic toiletries from home. I never had to buy haircare products or other shower necessities the entire time I was abroad, which in the end saved me a lot of money.

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

  • Americans
* 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?
  • location of the school
  • the different events always going on
  • diversity of people
* What could be improved?
  • i wish there were more food options for vegans
  • i wish that the dining hall stayed open later at night
  • i wish there were bigger kitchens in the dorm halls to cook food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I went into this program for a full year rather than just one semester. It went by so fast and by the end I felt like I was running out of time to do everything. I also wish I knew just how big London really is and how there's always something to do. I was there from January to June constantly going out and exploring the city and by the end I felt like I still didn't see all of it.