Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I'd love to go back to London in the future Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/14/2016 to 12/16/2016 with

IFSA: London - University College London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The biggest things I learned were to be more independent (taking care of money, food, etc.) and to adapt to the new system of education.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 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?

Ramsay Hall was UCL student housing with 10 catered meals a week. The dorm was unfortunately entirely filled with British freshmen and American study abroad students.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe in London, especially in the area surrounding UCL. Even walking home by myself very late at night was not scary, as it may have been in other cities.

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)

Having breakfast and dinner included in the dorm was a big way to save a lot of money, and lunch could be arranged daily for just a few pounds or more costly.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Meals from local grocery stores come already prepared and are very inexpensive for quick food.

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?
  • IFSA-Butler sponsored trips
  • Living in central London
* What could be improved?
  • The British system of academics
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There will always be things that could be more smooth when looking back, but most everything is learned as you go along. That's something I wish I understood before leaving.

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:

London Before the Great Fire
Course Department: Archaeology
Instructor: Gustav Milne
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was a great way to interact with the city of London in such a thorough and behind-the-scenes way. It was both interesting and interactive and the professor was quite attentive to his students, which is a rarity in the British system.
Credit Transfer Issues: