London is awesome, but UCL was lacking Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I (foolishly) came in expecting all butterflies and rainbows, and didn't spend nearly as much time on my work as I usually do at Wellesley. My advice: do your homework EVERY WEEK. Do NOT slack off. Reading lists for some of my psychology classes (all lecture) were overwhelming because they're full of a whole bunch of articles and you have to pick and choose what to read. Read AT LEAST an article a week but do not overwhelm yourself trying to read everything. It's impossible. But if you have at least some sort of understanding of what you did every week, you will be very prepared for the exams. But I did not pace myself and kept putting things off and putting things off until I really regretted it at the end. Please don't be like me. Please. Learn from my mistakes. It's strange, because you're only in class from January until the end of March, and exams start in May. But don't be lulled into a false sense of security by all that free time. You're going to want to travel in April (and you should!!!) so study for your courses every single week. In fact, get rid of your Netflix entirely. I mean it. You should either be studying or out and about and enjoying London. :)

On-site administration of your program

The orientation week was a little sad. Every event cost money and they gave very strange and unhelpful advice regarding signing up for classes. There is no stream-lined system and you basically have to email departments and professors directly to try to get into a class that doesn't have to do with your major. And don't procrastinate on the emailing!!! The sooner the better!!! Spaces FILL UP!! Make friends in classes as soon as you can so that you can communicate with them to make sure you're not missing anything. No one is going to hold your hand here.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Langton Close, about 20 minutes walk from campus, near a quiet park. I lived in a private flat with 3 other people who all went to UCL. 2 were international grad students, 1 was a fresher. 2 girls, 2 guys in total. Nice kitchens and the staff was really great and attentive. Got us a new toaster even when the old one was working fine. However, you are pretty far from campus, so I would say to try to stay on campus for as long as you can every day. Bring a lunch or get it there so that you don't spend so much time in your room, away from all the other students. There wasn't much of a communal feeling at Langton Close, and I wish they had hosted more events to mingle, especially when we were starting out. That could also be because I came in January. I feel that, if you're going to study abroad in London, you should go in the fall so that you can get to know everyone at the same time. Honestly, I mostly hung out with other Wellesley people and international students, and though I loved those friendships and experiences, I wish I had been able to meet other full-time UCL students.

I self-catered, so I don't know about the dining halls, but cooking for yourself in London can be very affordable if you know where to look. Definitely check out Tesco, which will probably be the cheapest supermarket food chain in your area. (Apparently ALDI is also pretty cheap, but there were none near my residence hall.) If you like to cook and don't eat out, you can definitely live on less than 10 pounds a week. Upon arriving in London, head straight for an Argos and get some fairly affordable cookware.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There's not really one "culture" to London. It's a ridiculously, wonderfully, fantastically international city. You'll be amazed at the number of languages you hear on your way to class and I actually didn't hear the "British" accent (you know, the one everyone thinks of when they think English accent) as much as I thought I would.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My dad actually got a package for international coverage with our private insurance, which came in handy when I hurt my knee. There was a clinic around the corner which I found through my insurance and my doctor was very nice. I told my dad not to get the international coverage for check-ups, but looks like the investment really came in handy.

I felt VERY safe in London and walked everywhere by myself, no problems. Obviously, stay alert, but I felt safer in London than I did in all the times I've been to New York City. But maybe I'm just oblivious to things??

Okay, I'm actually a "maybe." I loved London, but UCL wasn't warm or welcoming. I've heard good things about Kings College, which is also in London.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Fairly easy. If you head to Tesco for your grocery needs, you can definitely live on less than 10 pounds a week for food (though I did splurge a bit). Toiletries and stuff also not too bad. I came in expecting exorbitant costs, but if you don't eat out and like to walk/take the bus instead of the Tube (which is phenomenal but also can get pricey), you'll be okay.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The city of London!!!!
• Dorm facilities were nice
• Professors were really great lecturers in psychology department, and welcomed questions and emails

• Orientation activities (literally everything about them--socializing, figuring out how to register for classes, etc.)
• dorm life kind of nonexistent
• overall bonding among students

The Avid Adventurer