The people I met made it worth it September 01, 2026
By A student (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/29/2025 to 05/01/2026 with
London School of Economics (LSE): London - General Course, Year-Long Study Abroad Programme
I learned how to make myself stand out when there are 300 people in a lecture hall, which is completely different than Wellesley. I took classes with students who are incredible in their subject, coming into LSE as first-years already so knowledgeable and only growing as they continue their studies.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I appreciated getting to learn from world-renowned economist. Much of the learning was independent, which was a different experience than Wellesley. The class experience was very much dependent on the course teacher, some were more interactive and others just lectured. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Other than emails for the Dean of the General Course, I didn't really interact much with the LSE GC administration. They made sure to update us on important information and organized fun events. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had private university accommodations in Islingston, which was an amazing experience. Not sure how the LSE dorms were like. |
| * Food: |
My accomodation meals were great, and there is a great food scene in London, with more budget options also available. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
London is quite international, so they are quite welcoming to international students. I felt safe as an international student there. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have a good experience with the NHS, I had to pay for most things out of pocket if I wanted quick attention. |
| * Safety: |
I didn't appreciate the amount of pickpocketing and general warnings there were everywhere, especially in touristy areas, which is most of London, and on the tube to be aware of your surroundings. We would always hear about something happening to other students which didn't make me feel the safest. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
My biggest takeaway is the people I met. The students in the academic, athletic, social clubs were great and made my experience at LSE memorable. The academics, especially as it was more independent learning, didn't make up the most of my experience, but I still learned a great deal from my course teachers and classmates. |
Finances
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* 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) |
It's an expensive city. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200/week, I was not really on a budget though |
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
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How international LSE is, other than the rowing club, there weren't many locals that I interacted/made relationships with |
