Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fantastic city, decent school, amazing time. Past Review

By (Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology., Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/16/2014 to 12/12/2014 with

Arcadia: London - University College London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about my place and my country's place in the world.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academic rigor and intensity were acceptable. UCL's administration and resources available were abysmal

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Arcadia did a poor job in their role as an administrator.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Awful. Just awful. Not only were there numerous pests living in the building (flies, roaches, mice, rats, etc.) but also the program's advertising made one believe that there was a range of options rather than one poor assigned option. Additionally, we were assigned roommates, and they were matched extremely poorly.

* Food:

Cooked for myself.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Hospital system was easy to figure out. If I had a major problem I don't think it would have been as easy, but the combination of non-emergency and emergency NHS helplines and many available hospitals made the process simple.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

London is very expensive, even if you are cooking for yourself.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~$150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take the bus instead of the tube and save 70 pounds a month. Cook for yourself. Avoid the national rail system. Don't drink too much.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Location
  • Content of classes
  • Classmates and friends
* What could be improved?
  • Administration
  • Accommodation
  • Evaluation of classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The organizational issues of UCL's administration.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Further Topics in Biochemistry
Course Department: Molecular Biosciences
Instructor: Dr. Taylorson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Fascinating subject. Lecturers were all knowledgable about their specific fields. However, my entire grade was determined by one test at the end of the semester. This test almost exclusively asked about minutia and did not encourage overall knowledge of the subjects at hand.
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know yet, as I do not have my grades back.
Course Name/Rating:

Introductory Pharmacology
Course Department: Biomedical Sciences and Neuroscience
Instructor: Dr. Sihra
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging, fascinating, taught by engaged and well informed instructors, and assessed by papers.
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know.
Course Name/Rating:

Medieval History in London Collections
Course Department: History
Instructor: Dr. Gelin
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Amazing class. Extremely interesting and engaging. Access to the London collections allowed students to handle and examine medieval artifacts. Field trips to medieval sites were fascinating. Assessed by paper. Best class I have ever taken.
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know
Course Name/Rating:

Geology of Planetary Bodies
Course Department: Earth Sciences
Instructor: Dr. Fortes
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Amazing class with a very engaged and knowledgeable professor. Fantastic subject material. Assessed by papers.
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know