UCL! Past Review
By A student (Political Science and Government, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/07/2015 to 06/12/2015 with
University College London (UCL): London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I hadn't traveled before so I think it was really great to just be somewhere other than the U.S. and get to know the culture/political climate/way of life. I also was able to travel all over Europe for not very much money, which was awesome.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really enjoyed my classes. The term was quite short relative to what I am used to, but I did feel like I learned a lot. Not a lot of class time, and a very small workload. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I didn't have any problems with the administration at UCL while I was there. I did have major issues with them regarding visa stuff in the fall when I was preparing to come. I was only staying for 6 months, so I did not need a visa to study in the UK, but I was offered an internship in London that I was really excited about, and to do it, needed a visa that allowed me to work in the UK. UCL provides these usually. For several months, they reassured me that they were processing sponsorship requests and that I would get my sponsorship number soon. Two weeks before I was set to leave for the UK, they told me that they didn't have my passport number so could not give me a sponsorship number. My passport number was definitely somewhere on file there, and at the point that they told me, it was two days before Christmas and too late to get a visa. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very nice housing. |
| * Food: |
I didn't live in a hall with a meal plan. I had friends who did and who felt that the plan was pretty minimal, but that the food tasted good! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was able to see a GP on a walk-in visit for free without any issues. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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 extraordinarily expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60-$90 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | In London--take buses instead of the tube when possible, do most of your own cooking. |
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
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | .... |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
