Great experience in a great city Past Review
By Elicia C (Economics and Art History, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/10/2012 to 06/10/2012 with
University College London (UCL): London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I got to travel a ton, and speaking to local and international students gave me more of a global perspective on lots of things, such as economics and politics. It was definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Material isn't necessarily easier, but since there are no regularly graded assignments (often times 100% of your grade is based on the final) it is definitely not as stressful as Wellesley. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Fairly accessible for the most part. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
For some reason, I ended up in a housing unit (Ian Baker House) with all full-time international students (NOT study abroad students), many of which were post-grad, so making friends was tough at first because these students often kept to themselves. Over time I adjusted and really liked it. The facility itself was very nice, huge kitchen, new facilities, etc. |
| * Food: |
N/A I was self-catered so I never ate dorm food. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I lived next to a freshman dorm so I made friends with native students. My dorm was also located in the center of the city, so it was easy to get everywhere. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Just fantastic, easily accessible health services just off-campus and almost everything is free. |
| * Safety: |
Pretty safe for the most part, since I lived close to campus. I've heard stories but never encountered issues myself. |
| 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) |
London is expensive. I probably spent closer to $150 a week. You can be stingy and live at $100 a week, but that probably means you're not going out/having fun/traveling |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * 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? | close to $150 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Get a capital one card back home, or apply for a debit card in london. it's not worth spending money on the exchange rate every transaction. Also... it's worth it to do self-catered. You can save money if you cook pretty simple things, and you won't have to feel bad about going out to eat (bc you didn't pay for your meal plan already) |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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 |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Nothing, really. The program was as I expected. |
