London is great, UCL is not. Past Review
By A student (Computer Science, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/21/2015 to 12/18/2015 with
University College London (UCL): London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned how to be much more self-sufficient, and I learned more about British culture, and the international culture and lifestyle of London.
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. |
The courses in the CS department had virtually zero help, professors were unavailable, and the advisor we were assigned look a vacation the week we were registering. My courses in other departments were enjoyable, but professor availability was very limited. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The housing and Computer Science offices were extremely unhelpful. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I missed the housing deadline (partly my fault) but the office was completely unsympathetic, and after emailing over 70 housing options, I could not secure a place. I finally got off the waitlist to live in University housing, but it was far away, there was no community, and it was far too expensive for the services provided, on top of needing to take public transport to class. I spent $300/wk on housing. |
| * Food: |
I ate out, so I cannot comment on UCL dorm food. I thought the meals at the cafes on campus were good and relatively inexpensive. Avoid Print Room cafe though-- definitely a rip-off. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because there were so many Americans, none of the British students were that interested in us, so I mostly socialized with other American students. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no experience with the healthcare system, so I cannot speak to it. |
| * Safety: |
London felt very safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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 extremely expensive, but I cooked a lot to save money for travel. |
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 |
|
|
* 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? | 0 |
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? | That the housing deadline is rigid, and I'm expected to rely entirely on myself to understand the school system. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
