UCL: A Great University in an Amazing Location. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found the workload to be very manageable, especially coming from the high-caliber academic environment of Wellesley. I took classes across all three years of their undergraduate curricula, first, second, and third year courses, so I had a nice mix of difficulty level, though I ended up putting about the same amount of outside class time into each of the four classes. I did not have much experience with the grading system, as I never really saw any grades. My anatomy and biochem course grades were based entirely off of multiple choice exams and those were the only assignments we had all term. My other course grades were based entirely on research papers, for which I have not yet received grades. The biggest difference in academic experience for me was the size of classes, off of my classes were large lectures, ranging from 150 - 60 people in size. We also had rotating professors for most of my classes, which was frustrating in the fact that I never felt like I really got to know any professors very well, but it was beneficial in that the professor who gave a particular lecture was an expert on that subject, it was their specialty, so they were always very passionate about what they were talking about.

On-site administration of your program

I had a very very difficult time with UCL's administration. In theory, my arrival and registration should have been easy. I had been in communication with my Affiliate Student Administrative Advisor at UCL over the summer before I was to study abroad, and had decided on a selection of courses that I would take when I arrived in the fall, this selection was approved by the University. However, upon arrival, not only was the registration process separate from the course selection process, a fact which was indicated no where in any information given to us, the line for the initial registration at the university was so overwhelmed with students that after standing in a line for an hour and a half, I was turned away and told to come back the next day. After going through the entire process the next day, I went to my admitting department for an affiliate student meeting, which was actually very helpful. However, it was at that time, three days before classes were scheduled to start, that I was informed that I would not be allowed to take any of the classes for which I had been pre-approved, and had instead to choose alternatives. After that shock, I was faced with trying to decide what other classes I could take that would both be applicable to my major and interests and also be approved by Wellesley. This process involved going in person to the affiliate tutor of each of the departments that I was interested in taking classes in (in my case, 2, biosciences and psychology) for them to approve my choices. Needless to say, because every other affiliate student was also required to do this, it was a very disorganized process. I ended up waiting for hours on end to meet with people, only to be told after the fact that I didn't really need to be there because I met all the prerequisites for a class, or found officies closed on several occasions and told to return days later. Emails were not answered, and in the end it took my own affilate tutor calling other departments and professors on the phone in order to get a final schedule approved. After this ordeal, I was, needless to say, very frustrated and disheartened with the whole thing, and it took me a couple of weeks of enjoying classes and London to realize that my semester abroad was not a huge mistake. After this was settled, I found UCL to be fairly helpful, and my affiliate tutor was always available when I needed help or advice.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

There are many places to eat out and several grocery stores within walking distance from campus, I had no problem being off of a meal plan.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I took a day trip to Oxford that was absolutely wonderful.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The area of London in which UCL is located was very safe, I did not encounter any problems. Health-wise, I was lucky that I did not get ill while I was there, because as a one-term only affiliate student, I was not covered on England's NIH program, however, if you are there longer, you will be covered.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Dorm

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• International Students

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• The location

• the registration process