Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

JUST DO IT! Past Review

By (HISTORY., Tufts University) - abroad from 09/12/2011 to 06/08/2012 with

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in London

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I cant deal with this question right now

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.

It is not necessarily easy to get good grade by British standards, but considering how the grades translate back in the states, its pretty easy. You need to be a golden god to get an A, but anything lower than a B+ you had to really really really mess up.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Simon Steele, the administrator for Tufts in London, is a god among men.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

You will be placed in dorms which are pretty standard. Nothing special, but then again, you are in the middle of one of the greatest cities in the world.

* Food:

Costs a lot, make your own food. The British do Indian really well.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Its not rocket science, everyone speaks English, I think

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

NO issues

* Safety:

Very safe feeling

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)

Its an expensive city. Tufts gives you a lot of money though.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • You are in the greatest city in Europe and have the opportunity to explore the continent
  • UCL is top notch. You get to take amazing classes and have them not kill you GPA
  • The support is great. Tufts does a great job
* What could be improved?
  • Meh, nothing really. It would all be nit picking.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? English people love to talk about the whether.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary British Politics and Society
Course Department: Tufts Taught Class
Instructor: Mark Bennister
Instruction Language:
Comments: Take it, especially if you are interested in an internship in Parliament, which is something of a once in a lifetime opportunity. Other than that, Mark is the man, and also way smarter than you can ever imagine.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Making of Modern America
Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: HIstory of American in the 20th century. Getting a british reading of American history was interesting. Don't let them tell you we are not the greatest country in the world though, that is simply a lie.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

The Arab Israeli Conflict
Course Department: Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Instructor: Neill Lochery
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was the best course i have taken as a college student. The man who teaches it knows what he is talking about because he has actually been involved in some of the events he is teaching. This guy canceled class one week in February 2012 cause he had to go to Syria....so in other words you really feel like you are getting the story strait from the horses' mouth. Not necessarily the easiest class, but if you are a Political Science/ IR junkie, you will look forward to this every week.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

19th and 20th Century Art In London Gallaries
Course Department: Art History
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: There are a number of art history classes designed for study abroad students. You make good use of the galleries around London and it is generally not too demanding.
Credit Transfer Issues: