Breyana VanGilder
Location: United Kingdom
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Term Abroad: Spring Break '16
Major: Health Services Management
Career Plans: Executive Director of a Long-term care facility
Academic Planning
The program and the required coursework went hand and hand. It was also very easy to be able to accomplish all requirements abroad and when we got back. We were required to do a final group presentation while abroad then, we had the option to do a group or individual presentation when we got home to talk about our experiences.
Initial Thought on Arrival
In shock. It was a totally different environment that I had never been exposed to considering it was my first time out of the country.
“"I gained so much insight and valuable knowledge while abroad. This program in particular gives you another perspective on another countries healthcare system and the challenges they face. I like being able to compare their system to ours and see what works and what does not."
Housing
Two other girls and I decided to go a few days early and we stayed in a hostel. We had a great experience and I highly recommend looking into but make sure you do you research on them. When we met up with the class they had us housed in flats that were super nice. They were kind of far away from the classroom though.
Locals
I had the opportunity to meet all kinds of people from all over when I stayed in the hostel. I actually still talk to a few of them. They are just as interested in getting to know our culture as we were interested in getting to know theirs.
Leisure & Travel
I enjoyed all of the free tours I could find. I also managed to go to the London Zoo which was a blast. All kinds of site seeing too.
Money Matters
I didn’t have a lot of time to save. I found out I was accepted the end of December and we left in March. I did get approved for a scholarship.
Advice
Take the chance. Apply. If you get accepted GO! I was super stressed about the cost of the trip but it was so worth it. It truly is a once in a lifetime chance to go and I don’t regret spending the money on it one bit. I got so much knowledge, experience, friends from the program and even friends from London out of studying abroad.