The Intern Group can be trusted! ;) Past Review

By (Equestrian/Equine Studies., Midway College) - abroad from 09/07/2013 to 11/30/2013 with

The Intern Group: London Internship Placement Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a unique international experience and it was definitely worthwhile. My internship has opened so many doors for me & the chance to live abroad shaped my life personally.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall, I loved the program. I was keen to have international experience on my resume (and mainly -- just really wanted to live in London!) I had a unique degree in equine management, so I was skeptical signing up for Intern Group, in fear of being set up in more of a volunteer role, completely unrelated to my degree. The Intern Group came through and set me up with the most perfect internship at The Riding Club London. More about the company I was placed with: The Riding Club London coordinates advice, arrangements, experiences, and access to the finest horses, tuition and venues in London, the UK, and throughout the world. My experiences were invaluable. The team embraced me and I was lucky enough to be a key player in the day to day of a quintessentially British company. My commute to work was about 30 minutes each morning, minimal compared to other friends in the program. I worked in Mayfair - Green Park - 1 block from The Ritz Hotel and minutes from Buckingham Palace. I was fortunate enough to live and work on the same tube line (the Jubilee). Week days were busy (but I was lucky as I loved my job so much!), and weekends were free to explore. I think I saw more of London than actual Londoners. I made great friends through the program and we traveled to places such as Brighton, England and Dublin, Ireland, together. Great memories, lifelong friends! One of the main coordinators in the program (for social events) was American, which was quite surprising! She was a great help and contact, but it would have been nice to make that connection from someone who was originally from London. Overall, I would recommend this program. They were great to me in my internship placement. My internship has opened so many doors for me & the chance to live abroad shaped my life personally. The Intern Group can be trusted! ;)

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Communication from the Intern Group leading up to my flight was minimal. I didn't have my housing arrangements sent to me until the morning before my departure. My housing was the only disappointing part of the program. I was dropped off at the airport to an empty apartment and no way to get in. I waited in the driveway with my bags, until finally someone from the housing department finally arrived and let me in. This is was a bit concerning as I had no international phone and no way to reach the intern group. Room was the size of a small closet, shared bathroom, kitchen & living area with mainly international students - mostly learning english. I was not housed with anyone from the program, which was disappointing. It was a shock at first, but I quickly adjusted. Flat was a 10 minute walk to the tube station (Canada Water), and a 15 minute walk to Tesco (grocery). I arrived in Sept, so I believe the programs in the high part of summer have better housing. Also, the Intern Group does not provide transportation back to the airport at the end of your program. You will be expected to arrange and pay.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

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

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • International Experience
  • Internship
  • Social Events
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Transportation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the programs in the high part of summer had better housing.