The English department at UCL is exceptional Past Review
By Nina F (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Tufts University) for
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in London
UCL was an amazing experience. To study in a world-renowned university in the heart of one of the world's most cultured and cosmopolitan cities is a privilege. My only wish is that the programme had lasted longer. I hope to return to UCL in the near future as a graduate student, and to relocate permanently to London.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Full-Year 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The English department at UCL is exceptional in its quality of teaching staff. Every lecture was delivered by the lecturer best informed on the topic, so students were able to learn from the experts, every single week. My only complaint is that, though I was enrolled at UCL as a full English student, Tufts only allowed me to take half my course load in the UCL English department, and I was forced to look elsewhere for classes. This was not the case with any of the other Tufts-in-London students. As I had expected to be completely integrated into the British system, I was indignant and disappointed, and felt as though I would have been better off applying to UCL outside of the Tufts programme. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Jaki Leverson was one of the highlights of studying abroad. Her enthusiasm and helpfulness made it easy to resolve any problems that arose. Her efforts to organise group excursions also helped facilitate friendships and allowed us to see cultural and geographical parts of England we would not have had time to see independently. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Excellent. I stayed in Prankerd House on North Gower Street. Single ensuites were clean, efficient, and functional, as was the rest of the building. The kitchen was spacious and well equipped, and the Warden was helpful whenever her assistance was required. <br /><br /> Prankerd House was conveniently across the street from campus, and on a well lit street so as to be relatively safe. Proximity to Euston, Euston square, and Warren Street Tube stations proved extremely useful. |
| * Food: |
Dining out is rather expensive. Being close to so many supermarkets as well as M&S Food made it much easier to cook meals every day. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Jaki did a great job coming up with trips to football matches, the West End, and day trips to nearby cities. Afternoon tea in Kensington was particularly memorable, although it may have been useful to inform some of the students beforehand what to expect and how to take tea. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Healthcare was provided by UCL and was adequate. Central London and the Bloomsbury area were as safe as could be reasonably expected. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | I was given 200 GBP per week, and depending on social activities I usually spent between 80 - 130 GBP per week. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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? | It is a whole different world. Be prepared to adapt the way you think, learn, and put forth your ideas. |
