Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

LSE – Big City Life at Your Own Pace Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/15/2015 to 06/02/2016 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?
A full year abroad is a much better experience than a semester. You have the time to invest in relationships and make life long friends. I don't feel like a tourist in London now and definitely have plans to live here again sometime after graduation.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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? Yes

LSE GC was interesting because while the school has a rigorous academic reputation, you can choose not to work and still do well. London is both the land of infinite possibilities and an altogether large and isolating place to live. In all aspects of your life you'll experience a large conflict of high stress and total autonomy to slack off. Better for self-starters and go-getters.

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? 40 pounds
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't spend too much money at bars or clubs and live somewhere that is catered so you always have access to inexpensive food.

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
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The caliber of other exchange students
  • Living in the heart of London
  • Very good integration into the local community
* What could be improved?
  • The quality of teaching
  • The LSE student community
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that there was really no student community outside of the sports teams and clubs. If you don't get involved early and often, you risk isolating yourself for the year. If you go, it's better to get over involved early so that when you naturally lose interest in some things, you still have a full calendar of activities to keep you busy.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

The Economics of Social Issues – SA104
Course Department: Social Policy
Instructor: Peter Robinson
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

The Philosophy of Genes, Brains, and Society – PH227
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Andrew Buskell
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Governing International Political Economy: Lessons from the Past for the Future – IR354
Course Department: International Relations
Instructor: James Morrison
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Economics in Public Policy – EC230
Course Department:
Instructor: Roger Vicquery
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

The Philosophy of Economics – PH311
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Asbjorn Schmidt
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: