SU London: Americans everywhere Past Review

By (Communication, Fordham University) for

Syracuse University: London - Syracuse University in London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely worthwhile. I gained a better understanding of Europe as a whole and the city of my dad's upbringing. It helped me care about the whole world and not just America first.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was an extremely more balanced experience than my usual Fordham craziness. The workload was not high, but the grading system and teaching methods still made sure that we learned as much as we would at home.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Overall, they dealt with the students and their needs very well and only faulted when confronted with an extraordinarily difficult situation in the form of a mental unstable student. All things considered, they knew the students well and met my expectations.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was all very good. Can't think of anything bad to say.

* Food:

I'm really good at cooking for myself.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

SU London was great at providing opportunities for students to experience cultural events and field trips, like Brighton, and museums.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The only issue took place when our suitemate tried to commit suicide and my roommates and I were forced to deal with him, all after we had alerted the school to his suicidal nature. Had they properly reacted to our first warning, they would have avoided that scarring situation.

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? Oh good lord, like £200.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You will spend more money on beer than you do food. It's just an unfortunate consequence of being legal drinking age. London in general is expensive and known as such. Also, travel will bankrupt you.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Teachers
  • City
  • Internship
* What could be improved?
  • Students being more intellectual
  • Working with students' emotional needs
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? This is a program for someone who wants to go abroad but has a crippling fear of feeling foreign.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

British Media and American Politics

Course Department: COM400
Instructor: Christopher Cook
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It offered a unique perspective on the British/US relationship in media and forced students to open up to the foreigner's view of America more than any other class I've taken.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not yet.