Year in London Past Review

By (Economics and Political Science, Wellesley College) for

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?
Yes definitely. Although the quality of education was lackluster and much better at my home institution, everything else i gained from the experience made it worthwhile. I had the best year of my life being in London.

Review Photos

London School of Economics (LSE):London - London School of Economics Campus Photo London School of Economics (LSE):London - London School of Economics Campus Photo London School of Economics (LSE):London - London School of Economics Campus Photo London School of Economics (LSE):London - London School of Economics Campus Photo London School of Economics (LSE):London - London School of Economics Campus Photo

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 finals period was a much more difficult experience than the one at my home university. Firstly, while the study abroad students do receive a separate grade for class work, the regular students are only graded according to their performance on the final exams. This creates a very intense, life and death vibe towards the end of the year, which can definitely rub off on you and put such intense pressure on you. In addition, because the classes are a year long, rather than the semesters that American students are used to, there is a ton more information to learn for these final exams. Not only do you need to know more, but also must know it more comprehensively than you would need to do well at home. This is all coupled with the lack of personal attention given by professors and the general philosophy of teaching that every student's on their own to learn what they need. Clearly it is not surprising to find many people having breakdowns, and even receiving poor marks on final exams, even if they did well in the class portion, which i personally experienced.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a combination of other American study abroad students, freshman, most of which were British, but not all and post-graduates who were more widely dispersed throughout America and Europe.

* Food:

I loved having a kitchen in my flat and being able to cook for myself.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Since it was my first time in Europe, I took advantage of this and went on a 2 week trip with a friend. I got to visit eight different cities and it was an amazing experience culturally speaking, as well as academically, in giving me a global perspective on issues of politics and economics alike.

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you cook for yourself rather than order take out all the time, you will save a ton of money!

Language

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

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

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

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  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Go abroad! It's the best decision I've made in my life.