A formative life experience Past Review

By A student (Political Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 10/04/2013 to 07/04/2014 with

London School of Economics (LSE): London - General Course, Year-Long Study Abroad Programme

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

I learned how to live in a true city and amongst a people that while similar to Americans are different in important ways. I will always appreciate the experience and the opportunity to live in London.

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.	Most of my courses were some of the best academic experiences I've experienced. The professors were knowledgeable and accessible to students.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:	Relatively expensive in the city, but student housing provided dinners.
* 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?	Yes

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)	London is an expensive city, but it is possible to live relatively cheaply while still going out into the city and having fun.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	I spent around $150 dollars.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Students should purchase food from grocery stores and the market if they want cheaper prices. This allows them to spend more money on recreational activities and traveling.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university?	Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local 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?	Academics Living in London Local people and friends
* What could be improved?	Financial education Traveling on a budget Knowing other NESCAC students in the country
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I knew to spend more time traveling around England and the United Kingdom.

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:	Strategic Aspects of International Relations
Course Department:	International Relations
Instructor:	Christopher Coker
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was by far the best course I've ever taken. It was intellectually engaging, and I believe the material will be highly applicable in my future choice of career.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Foreign Policy Analysis
Course Department:	International Relations
Instructor:	Christopher Alden
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course offered broad exposure to theoretical approaches to foreign policy analysis, as well as country-specific foreign policy analysis.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Politics and Institutions in Europe
Course Department:	Government
Instructor:	Michael Bruter
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was interesting. I definitely appreciated the second term content more than the first, as it dealt with country-specific politics and institutions as opposed to theoretical and general approaches to studying politics and institutions.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Napoleon in Europe
Course Department:	International History
Instructor:	Scott Keefer
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course explored in-depth Napoleon's rise to power and his continental empire. It was highly informative, and the professor was very knowledgeable on the subject.
Credit Transfer Issues: