How I Came to the Realization That I Want to Spend My LifeTtraveling. Past Review
By Emily W (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Presbyterian College) - abroad from 09/11/2012 to 12/16/2012 with
St Mary's University: Twickenham, Greater London - Study Abroad + Internship, Semester or Full Academic Year
I gained knowledge and experience of several new cultures, as well as some amazing friends. I also gained more confidence in myself through traveling alone, and with groups, and learning how to successfully budget my money. It was definitely worthwhile, and I would do it again in a second.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no experience with the healthcare system while abroad, but the question required a rating to continue. |
| * Safety: |
Of all the countries I have visited, Twickenham / London were probably the best as far as how safe and confident I felt traveling within them. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
Because of the dollar to pound exchange rate, it got a little expensive living in England. But it was not terribly difficult, as long as you budgeted carefully. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | average 100-150 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't get too excited the first few weeks and blow a ton of money. Realize that it is a long program, and it is no fun to be broke the last month or two when other people are out traveling and such. This was not my personla experience , but I saw it happen to several people in my program. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had better prepared for the exchange rate, and saved more money prior to going abroad. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
