Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Past Review

By (Africana Studies/Economics minor, Wellesley College) for

SOAS, University of London: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, completely worthwhile. It made me more relaxed about my future, not to be so stressed out. To just learn and enjoy. Amazing environment, very liberal university with students ranging from such diverse backgrounds. I feel like i matured more during this year than I have in the past three. Which is great, considering graduation is only a year away.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks
The term and year this program took place: Full-Year 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I thoroughly enjoyed my lectures and the intellectual conversations that went on between students. However, i had very little interaction with my professors, which happens at any larger university.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The Study Abroad advisors were incredibly helpful and very approachable. They had monthly meet-ups with alcohol and tea, to check in and for the other study abroad kids to meet each other. Your new local friends were welcome to join as well.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Dorm/Flat style. 6 bedrooms and a shared kitchen. Each room had their own bathroom. There was no common area though, other than the kitchen for flatmates to hang out. <br /><br /> Fairly safe neighborhood, Kings Cross is very accessible to all the hot spots.

* Food:

Cook yourself and eat out.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Lots to do in London. Especially in central london where the Uni is located.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

London is a safe city, if you behave in London as you would in any other city.

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? i used a £450 budget each month, which is quite small. But i didn't buy any clothes while i was abroad. The covers foodd and social events quite well, although tourist attractions are very expensive.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? WHen clubbing, a lot of great places have free entrance for ladies before 11pm. And you can find great drink deals at bars during the weeks. Also try and eat-in as much as possible to save some money.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

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
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Highly encourage it. Fun, intellectual and great for students coming for smaller schools looking to experience university life in a multicultural city.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

The Transatlantic Slave Trade and Its Legacies
Course Department: History
Instructor: Tom McCaskie
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Amazing lecturer. Ever lecture was like a story was being told. I genuinely looked forward to attend lectures.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Death and the Meaning of Life
Course Department: Religion
Instructor: Peter Fugel
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I found the lecturer incredibly boring. The class was a mixture of master students and undergraduates. The tutorial was only offered to masters students, which was difficult for the undergrads confused about a lecture to get additional help.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Banking and Finance in Economic Development
Course Department: Economics
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great course. Very thorough all lectures was also posted on-line. Tutorials were really interesting, as was the reading material. It was fairly challenging. Reading was necessary to understand tutorial topics.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Comparative Political Sociology of Asia and Africa
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Dr. Raya and Dave Harris
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I really enjoyed the first half of the course, and although i enjoyed the second half, the lecturer (Dave Harris) was not as enthusiastic and was very one-minded. Did not appreciate other opinions or view on the subject.
Credit Transfer Issues: