Past Review
By Ashley L (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Wellesley College) for
SOAS, University of London: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Though the classes weren't necessarily the greatest, I loved London (the museums are incredible) and the friends I made there were amazing.
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. |
The professors were willing to meet with undergraduates, which was nice, but they weren't always particularly helpful. Most students from the UK didn't contribute to class discussions. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sophie and Anja are great- they respond to e-mails almost immediately and give you as much information/attention as you need. For the first two weeks in London, they even establish a 24 hour hotline in case you need help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Dinwiddy House, King's Cross- about a 10 minute walk from King's Cross Station. Sketchy neighbourhood (I was followed home at least 3 times a week) but has a 24-hour security guard (one of which gives you cookies). You get a single with an en-suite bathroom, and a shared kitchen with 5-6 other flatmates. The rooms are small, but having your own bathroom is incredibly convenient. <br /><br /> The neighborhood was sketchy and not very close to campus. You need your own cookware- though you may be able to share with flatmates. I had really uncooperative flatmates-- none of them shared anything, so I found it really difficult to use my own kitchen and always ended up cooking with friends. |
| * Food: |
A lot of fun- cooking with friends is a great excuse to hang out. Tortilla (Angel) Benito's Hat (Goodge Street), Stockpot (Soho), and the Diner (off Oxford Circus) highly recommended. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The programme arranged a high tea mid-term. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
You're able to use the NHS system, which is really useful since medication is really cheap. You do have to arrive early for walk-in hours. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~20 pounds of food per week, but I ate at restaurants often. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be prepared to pay for Skype Calls. |
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? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You really have to take care of yourself- though the programme gives you food and housing, you don't realise what you have to buy yourself... bring toilet paper, because Dinwiddy doesn't include it in your rent. |
