London - The International Hub of Europe Past Review

By Melissa C (Economics., 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?

Academically, I think I learned a lot because it was so independent and a lot of the readings were everyday-relevant. Many opportunities opened up for me while I studied at LSE that I don't think would have been available had I not studied abroad. Socially, it was a great opportunity to travel to countries like Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, Spain, France, Wales, Scotland, etc.

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.	very independent, what you get out of the class depends on how much reading/research you do yourself. Many students never attended lectures but would excel in class because they did outside reading
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	I didn't feel that there was a program. It was very much integrated so the General Course students felt a part of LSE and felt like regular students
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	roomed with a Wellesley student and a UNC student
* Food:	great food if you have the money or if you know where to go. There are great cafes near LSE where you can have a meal for less than 5 pounds. There is a thai window near Gate St, the Fleet River Bakery, Wild and Wood Cafe,
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	LSE offered some great trips in the beginning of the year at discounted prices to Scotland, Amsterdam, Wales, Paris, etc.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I felt very safe, even in the late hours of the night/early hours of the morning
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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	London is quite an expensive city if you don't know where to go. It took me about a month to figure out where the cheap but good places to eat are, how to save on transportation (it's really easy to walk everywhere when the weather is good! the bus system is also great), and where the best pub deals are.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Sign up for sites like Groupon and Living Social

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	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Public Econ
Course Department:	ECON 325
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	Highly recommended. Not very challenging, but extremely applicable to everyday life. Provided me with a great understanding of policies and the economic theories behind them.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Intro to Accounting
Course Department:	AC 100
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	The lecturers were not very impressive (and the lecture is in a giant theatre, so it's very distracting) but my class teacher was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The subject material is more challenging than normal intro courses, but it was a very practical and helpful course to take.
Credit Transfer Issues: