London College of Fashion Loved Me Past Review
By Sarah Eileen S (Apparel Design and Development, University of Wisconsin - Stout) for
University of the Arts London - Integrated Study Abroad
I would continue studying there if I had the money.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
strengths are it's easy to stay on task due to interesting coursework, weakness is starting things on time. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our neighborhood was a little bit questionable, but only a tiny bit. I know it was way better than what they've had in the past. There were just a few incidents that were a little unnerving, but those things could have happened anywhere in a big city. |
| * Food: |
Make your own food, it saves a ton of money and if you look there are very cheap but healthy things in the grocery. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We met a designer and he gave us a ton of free stuff, and spent the day with us, let us see his factory, bought us pizza, took us to a second hand distribution center and bought us stuff. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Just be careful. One of the first days there the group saw a girl get mugged in the middle of the day while we were on a tour. Keep your belongings close to you and be aware. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I was very very minimal on food budget, I spent 20-30 pounds every two weeks at the grocery store and ate out very seldom. Shopping at street markets for vegetables is a huge money saver and you get a ton of food. Church Street Market was very cheap. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep a budget. I kept a spreadsheet in my computer on excel to keep track of what I spent each week and had the computer convert the pounds sterling spent to dollars so I could keep track. Also check your bank account every other day. I didn't have a credit card and I am glad I didn't. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't be afraid to divert from the plan. Get Lost. |
