SOAS, Once in a London Adventu Past Review
By myco h (Sociology / Chinese, Wellesley College) for
SOAS, University of London: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes. My internship and the Chinese law course made it very worth while. I would not mind working abroad in London.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Pretty straight-forward system. One paper, one final grade. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They rely on a paperwork system for essay submission. Luckily all of my essays successfully made it to my professors for grading. Since we turn the essay in the department and get a "paper receipt" for it, this is pre-cautionary measure in case the essay gets lost. One of my peers' essay went missing and she just discovered this. Luckily she saved her receipt but that's unacceptable to notify her that late. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Self-catered dorms, friendly flat mates, and security guard! |
| * Food: |
Love it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Class field trip to art museums |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Tube strikes, student riots, and Wintery weather closing down airports. It was a bad travel time. |
| 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? | It really varied, whether I cooked or didn't cook or where I went to eat. My friends and I also have family members in London who cooked for us and sometimes we would go out and it could cost me 20-40 pounds a meal. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I think I budgeted for everything... |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Chin 301 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
We practiced the language when we were called randomly to do the translations. It was nerve wrecking but it ensured that I had the materials prepared every course. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | SOAS is for the outgoing, interpersonal, and culturally aware student. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Chinese Art & Modernity |
| Course Department: | Department of the History of Art and Archaeology 154900167 |
| Instructor: | McCausland |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | My favorite course. A lot more challenging than I had anticipated, however, it was rewarding. The Professor is one of the best in his field. I participated equally as much. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | If so, what would you suggest to other students? Not that I am aware of. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Chinese Law |
| Course Department: | Chinese Law MA course 155200055 |
| Instructor: | Nesossi |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | A poise professor who knows her material. I really enjoyed the course topic and I've gained a lot of insight from her course. The hand outs and lectures were stimulating and useful. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | If so, what would you suggest to other students? Not that I am aware of. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Eastern Christianity |
| Course Department: | Department of the Study of Religions 158000132 |
| Instructor: | Watson |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | American professor who relied heavily on powerpoints to give his lectures. He was only knowledgeable of the materials in front of him, when MA students asked questions he seemed nervous. I took a decent amount of knowledge from the course but probably wouldn't sign up for it again. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Not that I am aware of. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Chinese 303: Modern Chinese Film And Theatre |
| Course Department: | Department of the Languages and Cultures of China and Inner Asia155901226 |
| Instructor: | Ferrari |
| Instruction Language: | English/Chinese |
| Comments: | A lot more challenging than anticipated in an unpleasant way. I selected this course for its entertainment aspect but the professor was more geared towards the precise translation and avant garde directors. It was definitely taught based on what she liked. Would not take this course again, didn't participate much. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | If so, what would you suggest to other students? Not that I am aware of. |
