A fabulous experience cut too short. Past Review

By (George Mason University) - abroad from 01/10/2020 to 05/23/2020 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?
I learned how to be more responsible and self sufficient

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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? No

I would choose a university less catered to foreign exchange students because I feel like I wasn’t able to get to know any locals outside of my internship.

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)

Due to exchange rates and foreign transaction fees it was a little more difficult to budget for things like public transport and food

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50-90 pounds per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you can, use cash and if you need to use debit or credit card try to find a card that doesn’t have foreign transaction fees because those add up very quickly.

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? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My theatre class
  • Internship
* What could be improved?
  • Integration into the university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much of the student population were just doing a semester abroad

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'