Ehhh Past Review

By (Sociology, Fordham University) - abroad from 09/14/2015 to 12/17/2015 with

University of Westminster: London - Study Abroad Semester or Year with an Optional Internship

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Everything I gained from studying abroad had nothing to do with Westminster

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

University of Westminster students are dismotivated and do not pay attention in classes. I had an awful experience being put in a group project with two of them. They did nothing. Material was easy, yet because of the subjective English grading style which favors those familiar with the system, I still did not receive fair grades. I had both a wonderful, engaging, kind professor, and an incredibly harsh, critical professor who made no effort to get to know any students or encourage class discussion.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Average. Did not interact with. Fine.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

n/a Housing provided by Fordham in hybrid program

* Food:

Little variety but good price in cafe, but plenty of other options nearby. I often enjoyed grabbing a subway or another fast-food option and making a picnic in the nearby park in between classes for lunch.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

As an English speaker among many students, integration and exploration was easy and fun.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

did not have health issues

* Safety:

London is very safe, even if you're not smart. My mother was watching the news and got very nervous when there was a terrorist slashing, but London was VERY SAFE.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

The classes at Westminster were neither enjoyable, nor enriching, nor good for my GPA/transcript.

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)

I don't remember how much I spent a week, but it was not too hard, nor was it a breeze for my personal financial situation

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use the buses in London rather than the tube. The buses are more enjoyable- scenery with seating!- though they are slower. They are also cheaper!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • I had one very kind professor
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing. Westminster just has poor academics
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have picked another school to pair with the Fordham classes in my hybrid program.