Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Abroad in London April 02, 2022

By (Middle Eastern Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/27/2021 to 12/10/2021 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I best part of my experience abroad was the people I got to meet and learn from.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academics at SOAS were intriguing and challenging in different ways from the traditional/normative US model. Courses are intense from the get-go but do cover topics in depth.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

SOAS's administration is quite decentralized. I would be prepared to give admin at least a week's time to address any concerns. If you need help navigating their systems, it's best to try to contact individuals down rather than emailing entire departments.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Stayed at Dinwiddy House during my semester abroad. The accommodations and management at Dinwiddy House are not the best but its accessible location makes up for a lot (Kings Cross station is a 5-7 min walk, there are supermarkets are nearby, the busses are across the street, and its a 15-20 min walk from SOAS's campus).

* Food:

Cooked most meals, occasionally at out; keeping a weekly budget helps a lot. Would be prepared to go shopping pretty frequently (at least 1-2 times a week) and setting aside time to cook/meal prep.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Wellesley College uses the International SOS services for students abroad. I had to use the health services twice when I got a stomach bug once and caught COVID towards the end of my stay. Was super helpful in booking appointments with GPs in the area and covering the costs of the visits.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • The central location
  • Making new friends
  • Exploring the city
* What could be improved?
  • Preparing students for academic differences
  • Giving students a more realistic overview of how much going abroad costs
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it would be a bit challenging at the start to manage academics, alongside acclimating to a new environment, making friends, and having to cook/shop for yourself frequently.

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 Urbanite
A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

History of the Palestine-Israel Conflict (I): 1900 to 1948
Course Department:
Instructor: Nancy Hawker
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Islam in Britain
Course Department:
Instructor: Sarah Stewart, Suriyah Bi
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Global Forced Migration studies
Course Department:
Instructor: Tania Kaiser
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

MOSQUE AND PALACE IN THE MUSLIM WORLD
Course Department:
Instructor: Simon O'Meara
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: