<p>Hi! I was wondering if it was hard to be integrated into the culture at NYU London? Are you stuck with Americans? Did you feel integrated into the British culture, or did you feel like an outsider looking in on the culture? Did you make friends with locals? Any other notes about your time at NYU London would be greatly appreciated! :)</p>
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<p>Hi Olivia!</p>
<p>I did NYU Study abroad my sophomore year at NYU, Iâm currently on exchange at University of Melbourne and Iâm a senior. My website has a little bit on my experience with NYU in London - <a href=âhttp://www.stephanieborowiec.com/london[/url]â>www.stephanieborowiec.com/london</a> .</p>
<p>But basically, NYU in London is its own little bubble. While some of the teachers are British, some are not. And you only have class with NYU students (obviously they are not all americans, as NYU does have a diverse student population) as well as a couple students here and there who decide to do the program from other american universities. I found it MUCH MORE difficult to integrate into British culture compared to integrating into Australian culture. I didnât make friends with any of the locals, as we didnât have class with local students or any partnerships. At that point of my life, I wasnât really big on going out or the bar/pub scene, but some people met locals through that. Here, having class at a completely different university I was able to be completely exposed to the Australian culture and the majority of my friends here are Australian. If you have the choice, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND doing an exchange at a local university rather than a study abroad done through an American university. It sounds like youâre more in it for culture and I feel like you would get the full experience you want by doing an exchange. But then again, the experience is what you make of it. If youâre set on having a full cultural immersion and want to put in that extra effort to go out and do that, then youâd be set with NYU in London.</p>
<p>I hope this helps, if you have further questions, donât hesitate to send me an email!</p>
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<p>Can I echo the above from the perspective of a Brit? The American college experience is so very different to the British one that youâll be no more immersed in the culture than on an extended vacation (holiday) :)</p>
<p>Also, London is an experience of its own. Its not typically British as its so international but also the hub of arts and culture. I love London. No, Iâm passionate about London. Lived there for 3 years and try to go back at least once a year. But life there was very different from life in York where i studied. Yorkâs an amazing place if you like history, proximity to the countryside and even more history. Which is a different experience to living in âWelsh Walesâ such as Bangor where the locals wonât even be speaking English if they can help it. Which is different from the lifestyle here in east Scotland. </p>
<p>Think about the aspects of British culture you want to immerse yourself in and then take your search from there. Most unis will be helpful if you want to study with them. Look for the information on their respective websites.</p>
<p>Have fun!</p>
<p>I agree with all that highland_poppy says but must add, for the reassurance of anyone thinking of Bangor, that only about half of the local population speak Welsh and almost all will happily converse in English, particularly with those from abroad. Far fewer of the student population are Welsh speakers. There are plenty of opportunities to learn and become used to bilingualism!</p>
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<p>I donât know anything about NYU-London, but what boroweic13 is decribing in entirely typical of most study abroad programs. Anything that is a âprogramâ designed to keep you studying with only student on that program will have zero integration with the local people and culture of the host country. This is what most people want. To be able to say they studied abroad, but preferably without having to experience anything different from home (and even more preferably, without doing much studying! Many programs are not rigorous. I know nothing about NYU though).</p>
<p>If you would like to meet local students, you need to either direct enroll with a foreign university (which can be really hard. For example, you might then have to arrange your own accommodation). Or look for some kind of immersion program where you take classes with local students and/or stay with a host family.</p>
<p>Not that many ordinary people actually live in central London other than university students and a few millionaires (like the Queen). Most people on the streets are commuters like me or tourists. This makes it doubly hard to meet anyone.</p>
<p>sounds fun</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses! sborowiec13: The exchange program youâre doing in Melbourne, is that something you had to directly enroll in? If so, I was wondering what the process was like, because I have considered the possibility of studying abroad at a university in the UK, that isnât affiliated with NYU (assuming I go to NYU) and from what Iâve read on their website, it looks like they donât aid you much in that process. I was wondering if you experienced difficulties with NYU helping you in the direct enrollment, or if the process isnât as difficult as I am assuming it is? Thanks!</p>
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<p>Hey Olivia - So Iâm at the Stern School of Business. Basically, Stern is the only school at NYU (I think) that has a partnership with outside universities. Itâs called the International Business Exchange. They have partnerships with tons of schools in Asia, a few in France, University of Manchester and a few in Australia including Melb Uni. The process was EXTREMELY easy and directly through Stern. It would most likely be a lot more difficult if you were trying to do a semester at a different university without NYUâs help in the process. Hope that helps!</p>
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