Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Best Dang Decision I Ever Made Past Review

By (English Language and Literature, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/22/2014 to 06/12/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
confidence, adaptability, experience in living on my own in a foreign country, making friends from other cultures, navigating a completely different educational system, cooking for myself

Review Photos

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* 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? £50-£100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Tesco's meal deals!!

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?
  • integration with actual students at the university
  • ability to be independent
  • academic rigor
* What could be improved?
  • more scheduled events to meet other students
  • a maintenance loan to help with living expenses (like other UCL students get)
  • help with exam preparation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? that the exams would be absolutely killer

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'