Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fall semester in UCL Past Review

By (Psychology, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/28/2016 to 12/18/2015 with

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

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

The courses were a mixture of good (ex. Health and Clinical Psychology) and lacking. Access to resources (ex. access to buildings) expire on the day that the course ends, yet there were assignments due after the end date of the semester that requires the use of those resources which made it extremely stressful and difficult to coordinate, and complete the assignment to satisfaction. The assessments are done through multiple 2000 word essays crammed to the end month.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The affiliate students were not well informed in many ways and it was difficult figuring out what was expected, when etc.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in one of the UCL residences and while my room was spacious and recently renovated, my heating system did not work until the last 2-3 weeks of semester and despite me notifying them about the issue from early October when other people's heating turned on and many more times afterwards, they did not take action in any way until December by when I had gotten used to shivering in my room under many layers and holding a hot water bottle. They did not do anything until the issue with the heating in my and my neighbor's room caused the ceiling to break in the floor below, in the kitchen, which stopped everyone from using that kitchen for around a week. A lot of things were poorly handled.

* Food:

Food is very expensive. However, if that is not an issue, the area around UCL provides a lot of good options.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I personally did not need healthcare.

* Safety:

I did not have any issues with safety.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

While a lot of things could be improved, I took away a lot from my courses and had experiences that taught me a lot and gave me perspective.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook at home rather than eating out! Also buy in bulk (if reasonable), look out for discount hours at the various supermarkets

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

  • 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?
  • One of my courses - Health and Clinical Psychology
  • The guest lecturers
  • The central location of the university
* What could be improved?
  • Quality of some of the courses
  • The high number of assignments crammed into one month reduces the quality of the work produced
  • quality of the residence
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the assignment period would be really hectic and requires a lot of planning ahead, and that London would be more expensive than expected.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!