Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An exciting semester abroad Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/18/2014 to 12/12/2014 with

University College London (UCL): London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Even though I felt I was already independent, I definitely became even more confident in my ability to take care of myself. I learned a lot about living in a city, which I appreciated after living in the suburbs my whole life. I learned to appreciate my surroundings and really embrace new experiences, even more so than I have done in my time at Wellesley.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I was cooking for myself, so this does not really apply to my experience.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had a health issue while abroad.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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's an expensive city, but you learn to make it work for your budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 300+ US dollars

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Living in a flat with a mix of UCL students
  • Being a student at a large university, which was very different from my experience as a student at Wellesley College
* What could be improved?
  • Communication between UCL and the students studying abroad there
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It would be helpful to have a better sense of what your potential weekly expenses will be, especially as a student interested in additional traveling. It's not sufficient to just be told "London is an expensive city!"