Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Lesson Hard Learned Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/08/2018 to 06/01/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to live in a huge, international city. I learned how to get through a very tough situation while alone. I learned a lot about myself, like that I shouldn't move to a foreign country where I don't know a single person. These are worthwhile lessons, but at a steep cost.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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?

* 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:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I found the academics very lacking in rigor. Students were not very engaged, professors did not make much of an effort, and there was little opportunity for meaningful connection with the course material. It was extremely hard to become integrated into the university community and there was no assistance from the KCL study abroad office in this area. I felt very isolated, disengaged, and bored, with so much free time due to the ease of the courses.

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? $100

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

  • 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?
  • The diversity
  • The independence
* What could be improved?
  • Efforts to integrate study abroad students into the university community at large
  • The teaching
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how isolating my experience would be and how poor the academics are.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.