UCL gave me the best of both worlds: great academics and great for traveling! Past Review

By Amy W (Business, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/25/2015 to 06/25/2016 with

IFSA: London - University College London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Studying abroad was the best college experience I had and I wish every student is able to go. Especially if you can go for an academic year, it is so worth it to fully immerse yourself because one semester will go by so quickly! I travelled to 20 countries in Europe and made some lifelong friends. I took some great classes and even continue to pursue a startup with my classmates I met at UCL.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

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?	Housing was expensive compared to other countries/cities, but my housing had an amazing location right across from St Pancras station which was so convenient to UCL campus and also for travel purposes.
* Food:	Food is expensive. Something that is $3 in the US is 3pounds in the UK
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	N/A did not get sick.
* Safety:	Felt safe in london despite the terrorism related events happening around Europe. By the time I left in June, I was a bit more scared because the news kept saying london is a high risk target.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes IFSA Butler provided a way to meet fellow Americans so you don't feel completely homesick while you're abroad. They also took us to Snowdonia and Lake District this past academic year - it was very scenic I Loved it.

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)	I think you would be spending the same amount staying in london for the weekend compared to if you decided to spent your money on traveling around Europe that weekend
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	it is worth studying in london because the location is close to other places that you can actually save money by traveling to other places.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* 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
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?	the new college environment of 20k+ students that is far different from Brandeis's 5k students the location and month long holidays when I can travel the academics were around the same level as at Brandeis
* What could be improved?	classes shouldn't depend 100% of your grade on one exam - this is a UCL problem better tips on how to save money in london - signing up for certain grocery store cards or cheap travel discounts picking classes at UCL was not explained until we got in the IFSA butler orientation - should have been explained in the summer how the process works because I ended up picking a class because my other choices were taken. This is a UCL portico problem.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	If you are not in a department you cannot take certain classes.

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 Blazer Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Project Management
Course Department:	School of Management
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	Had an opportunity to take a certificate exam at the end of the semester.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Entrepreneurship
Course Department:	School of Management and CS department
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	met some of my closest colleagues in this class and had time to pursue a startup/internship through this class
Credit Transfer Issues: