Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Theater and Beer from the West End Past Review

By (Theatre Arts, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/06/2012 to 04/13/2012 with

Sarah Lawrence College: London - London Theatre Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Living in London was the best life experience I have ever had. That alone made this worthwhile.

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.

The program, on the whole, was strong but there were points and specific classes that need addressing.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Ian would be the man to talk to here. He is a brilliant man with a great poker face and open door policy. He makes sure that everyone is aware of his presence everyday in a comforting if gruff way. I cannot praise him highly enough for the one-on-one class I had with him. There were times when some of the official program business meetings seemed unnecessary but that is the only fault I can find. Mr. Wooldridge (he hates that) was a wonderful administrator.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Find your own. The Landward apartment building that you are located is good for rehearsals as everyone lives there but the building is utterly horrid.

* Food:

I am an excellent chef when it comes to making something out of cheap groceries!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Bars, booze, and more of both made me feel right at home.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had a cold, saw a doctor, and got some medication. It took a while. The end.

* Safety:

I felt safe.

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)

London is expensive but fairly priced for what you're getting.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? More than I would have liked to.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Drink less than I do and be cool with eating pasta and cucumber sandwiches.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Being in London
  • Cheap theater
  • Personalities of instructors
* What could be improved?
  • Several classes
  • Living enviornment
  • More selective process in student choices
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Find a different building to live in as the Landward sucks.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Theater History
Course Department: Theater Arts/English
Instructor: Christopher Cook
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Fewer idiots make for a better course than Dramatic Criticism.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Movement
Course Department: Theater Arts
Instructor: Jackie Snow
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The worst part of the program. It was a sleep worthy course and a waste of time. Jackie was a lovely person but her class is terrible. Two days a week was two days too many and the grades are blandly handed out A's.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

High Comedy
Course Department: Theater Arts
Instructor: Eunice Roberts
Instruction Language: English
Comments: One of the best aspects of the program and three days a week was too little time. Eunice is flawless in her teaching approach. This is the type of class that should be taught in more schools.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Modern Physical
Course Department: Theater Arts
Instructor: Mick Barnfather
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Mick is too wonderful, teaching all things theatrical: clowning, mask work, movement styles, and more. This class needs more time each week as two days is nowhere near enough.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Shakespeare
Course Department: Theater Arts
Instructor: Ellen Newman
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Voice
Course Department: Theater Arts
Instructor: Adrianne Thomas
Instruction Language: Theater Arts
Comments: Above average Linklater Vocal Method course. Grading system never laid out properly.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Tutorials
Course Department: Theater Art
Instructor: Ian Wooldridge
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Ian is brilliant. One on one instruction with him should be mandatory for all students and bumped up to once a week rather then every two weeks.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Stage Fighting
Course Department: Theater Arts
Instructor: Philip d'Orléans
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Difficult grading system but a fantastic course.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Dramatic Criticism
Course Department: Theater Arts/English
Instructor: Christopher Cook
Instruction Language: English
Comments: One of the greatest instructors ever cannot prevent a class that is too full of too many idiot students making too many stupid comments about shows from being just a bit too annoying.
Credit Transfer Issues: