Extremely satisfying experience with lots of good challenges! Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/05/2019 to 12/14/2019 with

Sarah Lawrence College: London - London Theatre Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about living independently in a city, away from my family. I learned about a different culture, I experienced a city steeped in history and theatre. I learned what being in a conservatory style acting program is like. It was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was a very intense program of study. We were busy all the time, but I learned a tremendous amount, and it was fun to be doing theatre all the time. All of the courses were great.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administrators at BADA were lovely. They cared about our well being as students and as people, and were always quick to help us with whatever we needed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing was adequate, the company that ran the building just needed to figure out a few details.

* Food:

We provided our own food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Because it was strictly a study abroad program, we studied with other American kids. We learned about the culture from our British teachers, and from just being in the city, but the focus was more on the study part, not the abroad part.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The same as any other city.

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? Probably about $130 per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy food in a supermarket and cook in your own kitchen, if possible.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • the teachers
  • experiencing London
* What could be improved?
  • some of the scheduling
  • the housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it would be different than going to college in the US. I thought I had already figured out how to be away from home, but I didn't realize that being away for three months straight in a culture different from mine meant that I would have to get used to a new kind of long distance.