Past Review

By (Finance & Economics, Providence College) for

Arcadia: London - London School of Economics

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile. I proved to myself great things about my endurance and intelligence. I was able to interact with different people, which has proven a useful characteristic when communicating. The reward of this experience cannot be fathomed completely in words, but if you are interested in this program and feel that it is right for you. Feel free to write me at danparisi88@gmail.com and I will have no problem sparing time to help you determine/get a better taste of what it is like.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Full-Year 2008

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

You will be pushed, challenged, and think at times that you know nothing. You will be forced to defy all thought that considers you a failure and pursuit with hard work and effort, and if you grasp the material and are intelligent, you will prove to yourself at sometime that you are brilliant. There are high expectations and having no right answer is common, so long as you show your work. Your professors(TA's) are the brightest people in the world and they speak down to you. This can be hard on someone with a weak and insecure personality. These teachers will respect you if you continue to challenge and push through the work.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I hate Arcadia. I felt that they are a business that produces a product in a small market that has little competition. I think that for the amount of money paid, there staff is incompetent. I did not find their orientation informative, beside my stay in the country (which the program did not "really" have a play in). The workers are slackers and for the benefits they receive, they are lazy and dull. I wish there was more guidance and a more informative reference point at Arcadia.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was OK. It was warm, but the apartment has its quirks. I was happy to leave it. It was cold in the winter and the staff was not helpful. They, too, were slackers and did not expel effort to their customers. <br /><br /> READ ABOVE The location is filthy...many bummers and beggars. Interesting scene!!

* Food:

I cook and eat and after, I sleep.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was great. If you want to find community, you simply sign up for all the clubs!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I was fine my health...there are loads of pharmacies in Europe/UK where you can seek out assistance.

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)

Language

Language acquisition improvement?

My language was English...I speak French in the moonlight to beautiful women, but primarily English by day and in the classrooms...!! I am a natural I guess!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Only do it if you are willing to sacrifice most things for success. Arete!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

International History of Growth

Course Department: EH101
Instructor: Dr. Leunig
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great class. Very fun and lively. If you are an economics major, this is a course that will tie everything together in a lively manner. Dr. Leunig is a brilliant man who is passionate about this subject and only makes you more committed, too.
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know yet, but I am assuming it will transfer fine (8 credit on Economics).
Course Name/Rating:

Microeconomics Principles

Course Department: EC201
Instructor: Dr. Bray; Dr. Leape
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging course, especially because the economics is taught at a higher level than at Providence. I would recommend someone to take a form of calculus with English notation before jumping into this class. It is very interesting is deceiving by its title. This course is not to be taken lightly. This is an essay based course...principles 2 is a math economics course (it will rock your world).
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know yet, but I am assuming it will transfer fine (4 credit on Micro-analysis and 4 credits of Economics).
Course Name/Rating:

Macroeconomics Principles

Course Department: EC210
Instructor: Dr. Ngai/Dr. Sheedy
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging Macro course...this is taught at an abstract level with some maths, but typically very detailed models. You will learn a lot about populations reaction to monetary policy and many other decisions. This course involves maths, but most are intuitive...it is for people who can think mathematically and abstractly (you must be smart with econ)!!
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know yet, but I am assuming it will transfer fine (4 credit on Macro-analysis and 4 credits of Economics).
Course Name/Rating:

Corporate Finance, Investments, and International Finance

Course Department: FM300
Instructor: Dr. Verardo/Dr. Favlukis
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging course. A lot of statistics. You need to take micro economics with this course, or you will find it very difficult. This is the course the LSE students take before the get $70K jobs in the city/Wall St...it is serious business and you will learn a lot. I am interning at an IB this summer and consider myself the smartest intern at the bank! (due to this course!)
Credit Transfer Issues: I do not know yet, but I am assuming it will transfer fine (4 credit on Investments and 4 credits of the other third year finance course...money management 2).