Learning in London Past Review

By (Presbyterian College) - abroad from 01/11/2012 to 05/20/2012 with

St Mary's University: Twickenham, Greater London - Study Abroad + Internship, Semester or Full Academic Year

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to be more independent and to stay on top of my academics. I did not feel that I learned as much as I could have though, simply because of the class structure. Having class once a week makes it more difficult to make connections between lectures, and it is harder to stay focused. I loved traveling, but even in London it takes an hour or more to get to the airport 12 miles down the road.

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.

I did not think the materials required for out of class review correlated with the amount of time we spent in class. I read ALL of Native Son and we talked about it for an hour. It took me about 7 hours to read, so I was very frustrated.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I saw the International Program Director once after I got to the university and it was because we were walking down the same street together going into town. We got two emails from him the entire semester, and I felt that he only tried to be of assistance after something bad happened in order to cover his tracks.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorm was great, but it was very loud.

* Food:

For cafeteria food it was good, but the British eat entirely too many potatoes. The cafeteria staff was NOT friendly in the slightest.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My friend had bedbugs and it took them a week to address the situation. I too started to feel itchy, and it was only after she reported and was asked to fill out a complaint that they came within 12 hours to inspect my room. Socialized medicine is not cool, because I was charged 28 pounds for the school nurse to tell me to take Sudafed (which I already was doing). And I had to pay in cash! So I had to walk into town while sick to withdraw money so she would evaluate me

* Safety:

Campus safety was about the only organization that acted like they cared about us.

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

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 pounds
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Always eat in the cafeteria because it saves you SO MUCH MONEY!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Pass/fail
  • dorm living
* What could be improved?
  • The international office over there is not helpful
  • general organization and communication between departments
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How expensive and cold it is! I would also bring my own medicine with me since they would no prescribe me any real medicine.