SOAS! Awesome :) Past Review
By chaipie (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/26/2011 to 12/16/2012 with
SOAS, University of London: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Loved it! Learned the city life, how to cook for myself and cleaning my own bathroom!
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was quite poorly organized - they were approachable, but even after I returned to my home school I received emails about attendance (obviously I wasn't there! I had left!). They had not updated their records until I emailed two separate lecturers that I had finished my study abroad program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Really good housing! |
| * Food: |
I love London food! There is no dining at SOAS halls but they are very close to restaurants and grocery stores like Tesco and Sainsbury. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
LOVED IT! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health care is different there as it it NHS - I wanted to see the doctor but the clinics are very full and you there is a bit of a process. |
| * Safety: |
Felt extremely safe there. No issues on that part - I took public transport at all hours of the night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
I had a very large budget - but for those who cannot afford to splurge, it is easy to live quite decently if you shop in the grocery stores and you do not use public transport. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about 50 pounds a week on food, because I would eat out at least once or twice. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Grocery stores are your best friend! As is walking! |
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? | Nothing |
