One of the Best Ways to Experience the United Kingdom! Past Review
By Ellen J (B.F.A. - Studio Art, University of Wisconsin - Stout) for
University of Wisconsin - Stout: London - London Summer Art
This study abroad experience was without a doubt worthwhile. As long as you are proactive and make it a point to get out and see the city there is no question of whether you will be satisfied or not. Basically, this trip is what you make of it. If you have a positive attitude and put yourself out there, you won't come home with regrets.
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. |
Workload: 10-12 completed works, 100 gestural figure drawings, daily sketchbook This workload seemed like the perfect amount. You have to put in a good amount of studio time but this workload definitely won't inhibit you from experiencing the city. The professor's teaching methods leave you free to choose your own subject matter and experiment with different painting and drawing styles. You must be fairly independent. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Faculty Leader lives in London for half of the year and in Wisconsin for the other half. He has done this program for many years so he is very well prepared and knows a lot about the United Kingdom. He took our group to get a lot of traditional dishes and focuses on experiencing the country as a local and not as a tourist. The program typically has 8-15 students. The only thing I would have liked to be different is the amount of time spent between London and Dalkeith, Scotland. We spent 3 weeks in London and 1 week in Scotland but I would have liked a little more time in Scotland even if it was only a few more days. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
While I was in London I lived in a dorm at Goldsmiths College in an area called Brockley. All of the students had their own room with their own shower and toilet. There was also a cleaning service that came around to clean all of the rooms everyday and also provided you with packets of shampoo and soap everyday like a hotel does. They provide you with sheets, pillows, and blankets. We used a nice room with big windows and access to the backyard right in the dormitories for our studio. The Faculty Leader and Goldsmiths provided us with all of the cooking equipment needed. There is a little grocery store about 4 blocks away but we also made trips to some really great markets for produce and to ALDI. Brockley is a pretty safe area but I still would recommend taking someone with you at all times. In Dalkeith, Scotland you live in the Dalkeith House which is this huge manor type of house. There are community rooms/showers/bathrooms. There are so many things to do in that house, just explore! |
| * Food: |
It's so easy to eat healthy in the U.K. and it's wonderful! Places I would recommend in Brockley: Brockley Barge - local pub with friendly service and a great environment overall The Orchard - we actually never ate here but someone told us that the actor who plays Peter Pettigrew in Harry Potter lives in Brockley goes there a lot! Fishy Business - humble place with great fish and chips! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Check out www.timeout.com and you'll ALWAYS have something to do. Recommended Art Museums/Galleries: National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Saatchi Gallery, Free Range Art Shows (all of these are free) DEFINITELY DON'T MISS OUT ON THE ALTERNATIVE TOUR OF LONDON! It's a free street art tour of amazing works that you would never see on your own and even if you did you wouldn't learn everything that Gary (tour guide) has to offer. http://www.alternativeldn.co.uk/ Camden Town is a great part of London to visit. This is where my friend and I first saw Tez Ilyas, Kate Lucas, and Gary Tro perform comedy. We took the Underground to Camden Town with no plan of what we were going to do that night and we stumbled upon a pub where these great comedians were performing! There are also a lot of music performances. I recommend going to the Proud Camden in the Stables Market on Chalk Farm road in Camden Town/Chalk Farm area. (Scotland) Edinburgh Festival: Runs throughout August and there are so many great events! Comedy being one of the best. I definitely recommend checking out Tez Ilyas, Kate Lucas, and Gary Tro if you get a chance. If you do see them perform their comedy, stop and talk to them after the show because they are some of the most down to earth and kindest people you will ever meet. Also, you should definitely mention that their groupies from Wisconsin recommended them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
London is a big city and like any big city you shouldn't travel alone. However, if you travel with a group you will be safe. None of us had any problems with the healthcare system and the Faculty Leader is always more than welcome to help you with whatever needs you may have. |
| 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? | $100-$250. I didn't spend much money on souvenirs. Food is relatively inexpensive if you cook at home. If you go out to eat a lot, especially in Central London, your expenses will rise in a hurry. Drinks are also expensive if you go out. If you are reasonable and monitor your expenses you will be fine. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try not to spend money on really touristy things like bus tours because there are so many free things to do that will give you a much better experience. There were no unanticipated expenses that I wish I would have been informed of. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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? | Art majors would benefit from this program. It is a 4 credit program (3 painting credits, 1 drawing credit). |
