<p>Ok I haven't gotten any advice in the "study abroad" section so I decided to post this thread here cause this section seems a lot more active. Alright, I know several ppl already posted other threads about studying abroad in London, but I just wanted to get some advice for my situation. I'm a civil engineering student entering as a sophmore this year. I REALLY want to study in London very badly sometime during college. However, I'm about to face several obstacles that may prevent me from studying abroad specifically in London. </p>
<p>I haven't done much research in the London study abroad program, but this is what I know so far. I've heard repeatedly from my school that it is quite difficult to study abroad if an engineering student expects to graduate in four years, but some study abroad during the summer. Also, I feel like many engineers who study abroad in the UK go to universities outside of London. Also, my biggest obstacle might be maintaining a 3.0 GPA. I've been working hard, but well I am an engineering student so I hope I can maintain a 3.0 throughout my sophmore year. I heard the average GPA for engineering students at my school is around 2.8. Other things I've heard about London is that it's ridiculously expensive, the weather sucks, the ppl are snoobish, etc. I don't know if this would matter, but I'm Mexican American so I'm not sure if the British would see my in a weird way</p>
<p>I'm completely obsessed with everything about England including the music, literature, films, and tons of other stuff. I've never actually visited London or Europe for that matter so I'm not sure whether I would hate or love London. I'm from San Francisco so I'm used to the cold fog and random weather on a day to day basis. I'm honestly stuck at this point, but I want to talk to my advisor when the school year starts. Any advice for me, I would Highly appreciate it.</p>
<p>How about visiting there sometime outside of study abroad? Spend a week or two in Europe one summer on a budget (hostels are a good idea). If London is not what you expected, check out other countries/cities that could potentially be good places to study instead. Manchester, Dublin, Paris, Madrid, etc...</p>
<p>As far as GPA and other worries you have, I couldn't give you a response to that. Usually when you study abroad, you're generally going to take some of the classes you would be taking anyways, even engineering ones (although it really depends on what university/college you choose). I would contact the engineering department at your school. More likely than not, they'll have info about engineering programs abroad, or offer options that students did in the past.</p>
<p>If you're from SF then London weather won't bother you. Living in London will be very expensive (between a weaker dollar and the weaker relative purchase power of the pound many things will cost about twice what they do in the US). As for your ethnicity, I don't think anyone will care... the UK, and especially London, are very diverse and in many parts white people are the minority.</p>
<p>Well yeah, it rains a lot in London and it is generally much cooler than what you might be used to. It's also no secret that the English people aren't as open and warm as Americans (and I can confirm that first hand), but in a city as diverse as London you will certainly find your niche. </p>
<p>GPA wise: Does your college count grades from study-abroad programs into your GPA? If so, you should be very careful which college overseas you want to attend. At some of them students would be thrilled if the average GPA was a 2.0....</p>
<p>Yea I'm thinking of visiting London either this Christmas break or over Spring Break. Frankly, I hope I like the city cause I would be very disappointed if I didn't just because I love so many things about the city. However, if London really doesn't work out I'm guessing other UK cities wouldn't work out either. In that case, I would just go to Italy or Spain cause I'm fluent in Spanish. Oh and to b@e!um, please elaborate and why think people in London might not be as open or warm as Americans? Also, I'm not sure if my school counts the grades from the study abroad programs, but I'll certainly look into that</p>
<p>London is indeed a very expensive city, though most tourist cities are expensive. Being that you're an engineering student, I can't comment in on the impact it would have on your ability to graduate in four years. I will however say that a friend of mine studied (business) abroad in Asia for a semester, and managed to graduate in 3 and a half years. </p>
<p>I don't think you should let graduating on time worry you that much. You have plenty of time in life to work, so take the time to explore the World while you have the time.</p>
<p>Another thing to mention. As far as the GPA goes, I've been told by several people that school is easier in Europe. Then again this could be because they attend schools such as Duke and Cornell. Again, I can't back that fact up because I haven't studied abroad yet. *I will be studying in England during the Spring though :)</p>
<p>London IS really expensive, the people there can have a bit of an anti-American mentality, and they also have a problem with crime/violence. </p>
<p>But with that being said, it's still fully possible to live there and thrive. And I know I said that some people in London are anti-American, there's also a lot of people who are fascinated by Americans, as you are with them.</p>
<p>Crime
Racism (2 French students where stabbed 250 times and set alight about 2 weeks ago)
Expensive
unhelpful people.
VERY high cost of living
Government is in a mess at the moment.</p>
<p>Why do you think im escaping to america for uni Lol.</p>
<p>It is an expensice city. Growing up there my family & I have spent twice as much more money over there than here in America. </p>
<p>"they also have a problem with crime/violence. "</p>
<p>Wrong! In London they don't use guns which makes it a very safe place to be. Not 100% safe & yes they do have violence/crimes but the fact that 97% of the civilians don't use guns makes it so much safer than America.</p>
<p>Syracuse University has one of the best study abroad programs and there best places are Florence, Italy, London, & Hong Kong.</p>