Study Abroad at London's Kings College Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 06/01/2012 with

King's College London: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile. I'd never been out of the US before and always wanted to go abroad. That alone makes the experience worthwhile. I gained a better understanding of not only English culture, which is useful to my major, but also a better understanding of Europe in general.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The study abroad office was very accommodating and planned many events to make us feel welcome. Sometimes, though, it seemed a little disorganized. An orientation event was rescheduled, but instead of sending an email to notify us of the later date, a sign was posted outside the office. Many students missed this notice.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Self-catering forced me to cook, which wasn't a terrible thing.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I tried to make an effort to meet local students at first, but social events that were arranged by the residence/college only attracted other study abroad students, mostly Americans. The English system doesn't allow for as much class time and discussion that I am used to at my home institution, so it was harder to integrate with local King's students. Plus, classes were over by March 31, so the semester was brief, and I didn't get the feeling that local students were very interested in making friends with study abroad students who would only be in class for a couple months. Furthermore, I regrettably had an antisocial flat, so the one place where it seems most natural to make friends was void of this benefit. Nobody really talked to each other much, but more than that, I rarely saw any of them in my daily life (there were 5 others). I got the feeling that I was the only one that used the kitchen! But these are social issues. I have no regrets about the local culture in general. I was very well integrated with London by walking throughout the city and exploring new neighborhoods everyday. I discovered the the theatre and tried to see as much as a I could during my stay. I celebrated the Diamond Jubilee!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Students were notified about the National Health Service if they had a visa.

* Safety:

I felt safe on my campus and in my residence, which was just across the bridge. London is a big city, so I just practiced common-sense caution at night. I can't speak for the other campuses.

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)

(re: "was food included in your program cost?") food was included in program cost as a cost of living, factored in by the fact that my residence had no dining hall.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Being in a city of literary greatness
  • Being in a large city
  • Having a little more free time
* What could be improved?
  • better social integration of study abroad students with local students
  • better instruction on how the English system works from the start of the program
  • better internet connectivity
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That epistemology should be avoided.