A Life Changing Experience! Past Review
By Sofia G (Public Relations, Roger Williams University) - abroad from 01/07/2012 to 05/26/2012 with
University of Westminster: London - Study Abroad Semester or Year with an Optional Internship
I learned to be much more independent and self-sufficient. I learned how to make new friends in a strange place, figure things out on my own, and stick to a budget.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The resources on campus were great and very similar to my university at home. However, I lowered the score based on the academic rigor at the university. It is very casual compared to American schools. Class is not necessary to attend and over the four classes I had, I had about 12 assignments altogether... nothing compared to what I usually have. And no finals either! It was great because I could focus more on sightseeing and traveling; however, I wasn't learning as much as I had hoped. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was very welcoming and helpful for students coming from other countries. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was living on a campus further outside of London, because this was the Media, Arts, and Design campus. I was taking Journalism and Fashion classes, so it was nice having a separate campus for this. However, I did not find the classes worth living 20 minutes outside of London, and the extra money I had to pay for traveling into the city. |
| * Food: |
Food was great, very cheap supermarket right near the campus. Eating out can get pricy, but delicious to experience the popular chains in London! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was difficult meeting and relating to the local culture my own age. I found that the stranger adults I would meet on the tube and around town were extremely nice and helpful. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick only one time and tried to go to the health services on campus, which has limited open office hours. I waited until it was finally open and there was no one there! I ended up having to go to the emergency room at a local hospital. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe on campus, even coming back very late at night. |
| 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) |
London is extremely expensive, the conversion rate is almost double! I found that $1,000 was enough to do what I wanted, without being too crazy. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $200-$250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget your money weekly! I divided that I could spend a certain amount every day. Some days I spent more and others less, so it evened out. If you don't keep track of your money, you will end up spending a lot more than you expected. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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 would have liked the option to commute from the main campus to the harrow campus for my classes. |
