SOAS Semester in London Past Review
By A student (International Relations-Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/22/2013 to 12/13/2013 with
SOAS, University of London: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I was forced to be a lot more independent than Wellesley ever made me be and I got to experience one of the best cities in the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everyone complained about Dinwiddy House a lot but I liked it. I liked cooking for myself, even if the kitchen was always cramped and gross. And I really liked having my own toilet and shower, even if they weren't fantastic. Also, if you're looking for a very London experience, Islington could not be more central (N1). This is great (I had a lovely view of the St. Pancras clock from my window) but it also means travel and food and things are more expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The housing isn't in a particularly bad area, but London itself can be dangerous just like any other big city. A friend was mugged on the way home from a club. |
| 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) |
London is very, very expensive. We were warned but you don't really believe it until you're paying more than $8 per round-trip ride on the Tube. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The buses are nearly as fast and efficient as the underground and a ride is a pound cheaper. Check google maps before you go to figure out if you can take a bus to your destination instead. Tube rides really add up. Sainsbury's has a lot more inexpensive, off-brand products than Tesco! If you go to clubs, do some research a few days before the weekend to find out if any of them offer free or reduced entry if you're on the guest list. It's really easy to email and get on and considering most clubs have at least a 10 pound ($16+!) entry fee, it's worth it. |
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? | I wish I had spent less time out of my room and library, especially considering grades don't even transfer. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
