UCL: A Life Changing, Engaging, Delightful, and Inspiring Experience Past Review

By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/23/2013 to 12/13/2013 with

University College London (UCL): London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I had a wonderful term at UCL! Living in London was fabulous. The activity seems endless; there is always some place to explore, an event to see, and people to spend time with. UCL academics helped me to develop better research skills. Furthermore, I made many great friends through lectures, the residence hall, and general life/activities in London.

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.	I really enjoyed the academic style at UCL. Most courses support independent/individual learning. In other words, the professors expect students to go above and beyond the suggested reading and to do extended searches on their own. Students are encouraged to deeply explore topics of interest within the course topic areas. I feel like I am now more strongly able to research efficiently (both books and journal articles).
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived in a UCL student residence hall for UCL first year students and international students. I shared a flat with 8 other students. We were all international students from 6 different countries including France, The Netherlands, the US, Spain, Hong Kong, and Singapore. This broad range of countries provided me with an exposure to many cultures and styles. The 8 students in my flat shared 2 bathrooms and 1 kitchen. The kitchen space became a social spot/common space, and we spent much of our time together in the kitchen – cooking and talking!
* Food:	I lived in self-catered accommodations, which meant I did all my own cooking. I loved being able to make my own meals; eat the exact food I wanted and eat at the times I wanted. Cooking meals also became a social activity. I had wonderful experiences cooking with friends in our shared kitchen.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I felt very integrated with the local culture. The British students I met were warm, welcoming, and eager to show me local places. London is a huge city and there is an endless supply of activities during both the day and night (museums, restaurants, pubs, theatre, shopping, exploring the various areas of the city)!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	The healthcare system at UCL is easily accessible, very easy to use, and open to all UCL students. One simply has to walk into the clinic and a health professional will be available for assistance. Obtaining medication is also quite easy and prescriptions are quickly filled at any local pharmacy.
* Safety:
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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	London is a very expensive city and one has to learn to be a careful spender. It is very easy to go out for dinner, for example, and spend more money than expected. One has to balance these more expensive days/nights with minimal spending days/nights. Making a budget is also another good way to manage money.

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?	Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International 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?	social environment academics living independently in the city of London
* What could be improved?	it is very hard to maintain a student budget while living on your own in London
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Professors will be available for students, however, the student has to actively seek out a professor for any assistance.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	19th and 20th Century Art in the London Collections
Course Department:	History of Art
Instructor:	Meghan Gilbride
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Each lecture met in a different museum in the city of London. Overall, we visited about 13 museums. We visited museums with all mediums (painting, film, photography, objects). Furthermore, by travelling to these museums scattered throughout London, we were able to discover new parts of the city. Final assessment occurred in the form of 2 equally weighted essays. The essay topics fit very well with the themes of the course (how we document history, how we read/understand history, what is the truth?)
Credit Transfer Issues: