CIS Abroad Semester Programs in London, England

This was an incredible journey I embarked on in the Fall of 2018. I headed to London, nervous, excited, and ready for a great experience. What I got was the best 14 weeks of my life, thanks to a great location, school, and CIS abroad. CIS does an amazing job helping you apply, prepare, live abroad, and even return home. The entire experience feels like you're on your own still, and you gain a lot of independence, but its comforting to know CIS staff is always ready to lend a helping hand. Studying abroad should not be a pain, and they understand that and want you to get the best out of your time. Included excursions were some of my favorite memories of studying abroad. Seeing the highlands of Scotland and exploring the U.K including Brighton are times that stick with me looking back. Anytime I had minor problems, with financial aid or in life, the support I received allowed me to feel completely comfortable adjusting into London. It truly is incredible and I am so grateful for CISabroad and the wonderful University of Roehampton, which had a great campus life and international student population. London center is a close distance and something I miss looking back. I am so glad I cherished every moment, the highs and lows, all making for an unforgettable experience.

This experience was one I will never forget! CISabroad was amazing in the application process, and went above and beyond while I was overseas. There were excursions included in the tuition, and the small group of CIS students became a small family. I had the privilege of traveling to 8 different countries in a short 5 month period, and was immersed in culture. I made friends that will last a lifetime, was able to live on my own in a foreign setting, and was constantly pushed out of my comfort zone in the best way possible.

My semester in London was probably one of my favorites so far in college. London is a city that you could spend your whole life in and never get bored of it! It's such an international city with so many different vibes and areas, there's truly something for everyone. And no, the weather isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be ;) It's so much more than just big tourist attractions, it's so easy to make a routine and make it your home. CISAbroad was critical in my time there being so awesome! The program coordinators are super cool and plan cultural activities and excursions, like weekend trips to Scotland, afternoon tea, and West End shows! Going to the University of Westminster means you'll be right in the heart of the city, right near shopping and food and the tube, which makes it so easy to get from place to place. London is a big city but it never felt overwhelming, and I would definitely go back again if I could!

While I had friends also studying abroad at the University of Westminster who enrolled directly, and it is certainly possible to make do this way, the support from the CIS abroad staff was worth it to me. Students are under the care of two separate advisors throughout the experience, the first being a US based program coordinator who is available (and responds quickly) to any and all questions, and makes sure students are well prepared to navigate traveling/customs/visas and provides valuable information ahead of time. Once you get to London, you are picked up at the airport by the on-site coordinators who give you a walking tour of the neighborhood, and are close-by for the duration of your semester should you need anything.

This was a good experience. The coordinator at Bay Path College wasn't helpful at all. She kept referring me to the CIS program. I was told one month before I was ready to leave and at Christmas time that we owed another $5,000. I was suppose to pay my college and I paid the study abroad program instead. The person at the college should have been more up to date on the program.

I am not sure if I missed this but I was not aware I was going to have to buy so much kitchen items that I had to leave there. I didn't know anyone in the dorm to ask to share pots, pan and storage items. Also people kept eating my food and I was on a budget. That was very stressful to me. I would have went to the dollar store at home and brought more items so I didn't have to spend so much money.

We were told to get a student visa which cost more money and it caused confusion when I was traveling. They old me I didn't need it at the airport

People were very nice, accommodations were also nice. I would recommend this program again

This program gives a new meaning to cultural immersion. As a student at University of Westminster, I lived and studied in the heart of central London. My eyes were opened to so many unique aspects of living in a European country and a metropolis, and by the end of the five months, I truly felt like a real Londoner. The setup of the program encourages independence, but while I was able to pursue my own interests, studies, friendships, and travels, I also had a support system to lean on when needed. Now that this program has ended, I find myself feeling homesick for London. I would recommend this experience to anyone looking to find themselves in the big city.

I loved this program! London is a wonderful city to study in, and the program helped me make the most of it. The program coordinators planned lots of fun cultural activities for us, like seeing West End shows and going to afternoon tea at a nice hotel. It was also helpful to have coordinators to show us the ropes of the tube, and have people there to answer our questions if we had any. Going abroad is the best way to make the most of your college experience!

Completing the Semester at University of Westminster program was the best decision I've ever made - London is the most diverse, exciting city, and it's filled with opportunities. I made friends from around the world and we went to museums around the city, beautiful parks, trendy restaurants in Notting Hill, clubs in Soho, pubs in Hoxton, and underground markets in Shoreditch. London is also a great touchpoint to travel to other countries - I easily made weekend trips to Iceland, Sweden, Scotland, and Italy. It's impossible to be bored in a city that offers such a wide range of activities (a lot of which are free) and access to other countries.
Beyond that, CISAbroad made the transition from home to overseas as smooth as possible. My other friends that were studying abroad had a multitude of problems with their programs, but CIS made sure I was as prepared as possible and were always there to help when I needed it.