GEO Study Abroad

This program is amazing for students looking for a study away opportunity that emphasizes experiential learning in the diverse, cultural hub of London! My classes at the GEO Centre introduced me to new and challenging topics in British culture, politics, literature and media. I especially had a great time in my "Britain Today" class where I learned about Brexit and visited Westminster Palace and the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh with my classmates.

Students don't have classes on Fridays, so there is plenty of time to travel outside of England on the weekends and explore the rest of Europe as well. There's a lot to do in London too! The city has a great transportation system and you can take the tube to popular sites, museums, markets, etc . Spring break is also a great time to travel! During break, I traveled to Spain and Portugal.

The Liberal Arts in London program also comes with an internship option, which I would encourage everyone to take advantage of! I had the wonderful opportunity to work with a great media company and learn from my British coworkers about the UK broadcasting industry. The internship helped me branch out from the cohort of American students and socialize with more Londoners. I also really enjoyed the British home-stay option and the way I was able to create meaningful relationships with the family I stayed with. Overall, the GEO in London program opened up a whole new world of global perspectives and taught me that some of the best experiences lie right outside my comfort zone!

Getting the opportunity to be apart of this study abroad program was, hands down, the best experience of my young life. Our program directors were supportive and fun, our classes were captivating and enriching, the homestay families were so kind and helpful, the list goes on. I randomly decided to study abroad my junior year, I thought I just wanted a break from my university and meet some new people, but little did I know that being apart of this program would change my life so much. I can't recommend this program enough to students wishing to study abroad, you truly won't regret it.

Studying abroad in Angers, France was an incredible experience. I drastically improved my French skills and I met some amazing friends. After this trip, I felt a lot more confident and independent as a French speaker, a traveler, and as a person.

I came to Angers in July 2018. I remember walking to the foyer I was staying in that first evening that I arrived in town, after a stressful day of travel, and feeling like I was in a fairytale. Angers is beautiful! There are cobblestone streets, charming white buildings surrounding them, and breathtaking sunsets every evening. It is the perfect town to study in. You can walk everywhere- to school, to the city center, to the lake, to the museum.

I took a mid level French language course at UCO. I had class Monday-Friday. The days in class are long, but you are learning a lot. I was given many breaks throughout the day as well. The TAs are very supportive and helpful; they made me feel so comfortable practicing my French. I also really enjoyed class because I got the opportunity to meet and speak with students from all over the world. Additionally, my credits transferred over easily to my school in the US, no issues!

The foyer that the program set me up with was great. I had my own bathroom, closet and desk in my bedroom. The garden out back was so dreamy and there was kitchen where you could prep and store all of your own food. Its location was phenomenal as well! The resident cat is a plus :)

Overall I loved this program! No complaints. I will cherish my time in Angers forever.

Studying in France and touring Europe truly changed my life. Not knowing any French and traveling alone, I was beyond nervous to partake in this program, and some serious doubts and concerns crept into my head when I landed in Paris. However, my host mother made life very easy for me, especially in the first week when I had no idea what I was doing. But what really made the trip not only manageable, but completely worth it, was the amazing teachers and staff that worked at UCO. Because I was going to be on campus and in classrooms five days each week, I wanted to pick a program that would have an impact on me academically and culturally, and I ultimately chose this program because of its amazing reputation. But the experience was beyond what I had imagined. The university is filled with some of the most generous and exceptional teachers I have ever experienced. And not only was the staff great, but the students were a perfect mixture of foreign and American, ranging from no French skills to nearly fluent. I not only met some amazing people from Turkey, Mexico, and Japan, but I also made some great friendships with people from Colorado, Michigan, and Mississippi that could actually speak french and helped me survive. I was in class for 20 hours a week, while also taking an online class from my home university, and because the credit transfer was very generous, I received all A's and 29 credits for a single trimester! If education and academics is your sole focus, hands down this is the program for you.

However, it doesn't stop there. Because Friday classes end before noon, nearly every weekend I was able to hop on a train Friday afternoon and spend my weekend in a different city or country. I spent a four-day weekend in London and LOVED it, I travelled to Switzerland for a weekend, and not to mention Paris many times. France, and Angers specifically, are in great locations if you want to travel Europe. Trains can quickly and easily take you to Spain, England, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, or even Italy. Plus, part of the program includes four different all-day field trips where you don't have to worry about travel and accommodations. So if traveling and seeing France and Europe is your primary goal, then I also believe this program is right for you.

Lastly, if you are worried about the homestay and living accommodations, there is nothing to fear. Although I arguably think my experience was the best out of everybody I met (my host-mother voluntarily cleaned my room once a week, helped me with laundry, made delicious meals, and was just incredibly kind), nobody that I talked to had bad experiences at all. Some students got to stay in larger families, or stay with other students, some stayed slightly outside of the downtown area, while some stayed within the city. I actually stayed with a single elderly lady all by myself. Her home was about 3 miles from campus and so she showed me how to use the public transit and the bus stop was just outside her door. My homestay was honestly perfect. So if you are worried about living with another family or living in a foreign country, this program will put all of your concerns away.

Overall, I think this program was amazing from top to bottom. The support staff, environment, and people along the way made this a truly life altering experience. Although I am biased, I think anybody considering studying abroad, or just considering an adventure, should really think about this program.

Not to be too stereotypical, but my semester abroad in London with GEO was easily the highlight of my college experience! The program offered the ideal look into what London has to offer. London is a beautiful city, rich with culture and history, which the classes in the Liberal Arts program teach you all about! From going to plays and art museums nearly every week, to going to a city hall meeting, and attending a Scottish Parliament meeting, if you're wanting to experience the UK, this program is for YOU! I was also blessed with the most AMAZING host family who made me feel right at home. Having three day weekends also allowed for me to explore what Europe has to offer! I was able to visit five countries outside of England during my semester abroad. The professors realize that we are going to be traveling and experiencing the city during the weekends, so they do not give too much homework either. I cannot recommend this program enough!