Past Review

By (American/United States Studies/Civilization., Wellesley College) for

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was an amazing experience and I would go back in a heartbeat. However, I will not remember my time in London because of King's College by any means. KCL will be a footnote in the story of my time abroad. My time was made memorable because of the people I met, the traveling i did, and the time I spent getting to know London and making it my own.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The professors were great- approachable, knowledgeable, and interested but the quality of the curriculum was lacking depth.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were very slow to communicate- I didn't find out I got into my program till the end of november and I had to arrive at the beginning of january. ALthough i did not need a visa for one semester of study, I would not have had time to get one if I wanted to stay throygh the summer.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was assigned an outrageously expensive dorm through King's, so I found housing indepdently. <br /><br /> My aunt and uncle live in london, so I spent many nights a week at their place. But I also had my own housing at Nido in King's Cross. Nido is a privately owned student accommodation. it is very new, clean, and modern. It is a great location, b/t King's Cross and Angel. very helpful staff and nice facilities. A good mix of international and american students.

* Food:

I love english grocery stores!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My interactions with KCL beyond academics was almost non-existant.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Did not experience any health problems. Always felt very safe in london.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I probably spent abotu 100 gbp a week, with additional 100 gbp per month for transportation.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? There is not a lot of free wireless internet in london like there is in the united states- you have to pay at many cafes.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't be too over-ambitious academically. I took all highest level courses, which were much more demanding than lower level classes. However, the increased time committment was not matched by quality of instruction or learning experience as a whole. In general, going abroad means sacrificing the academics of Wellesley in exchange for not only an amazing cultural learning development, but also self-exploration and development. My advice for students going abroad is to focus on those to opportunities and make the most of them.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Gothic Southern Literature

Course Department: 6AAU9045
Instructor: Susan Castillo
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great selections of reading, but terribly dull lectures and painfully shallow discussions.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

The Perverse Section

Course Department: 6AAU9020
Instructor: John Howard
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Professor Howard is intelligent, engaging, and charismatic. i could have listened to him lecture for hours. Of all my professors, I found him the most engaging and held his students to the highest of expectations. Although I have some reservations over the selection of reading material, I thoroughly enjoyed the class and learned a lot.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

The American West

Course Department: 6AAU9042
Instructor: Janet Floyd
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Janet made me a bit uncomfortable personally, but she held her students accountable for the material and was good at leading discussion.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

An American Decade:

Course Department: 5AAU9044
Instructor: GAIL MACLEITCH
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: Wonderful, fun and friendly professor. Interesting and diverse curriculum. Dynamic student-led presentations and discussions.