Perspective opening experience Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/26/2016 to 12/16/2016 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Worthwhile for sure; able to see and experience more of the world that would otherwise not have opportunity to in the near future. Take advantage of location and travel.

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.

Intensity is fine, lots of "self learning" from readings (unlike how some lectures work at Wellesley), academic resources aren't advertised well

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

School is large, minimal communication of available programs,etc to incoming students, every department works independently and it feels like a giant mess

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Aside from clean bathrooms, can hardly say the residence hall was worth the rent/fee -- hot water problems, heating problems, kitchen appliances not functioning for extended periods of time (refrigerator..) -- no guarantee of working services you're paying for. Definitely bad when it's winter; you're bound to get sick.

* Food:

Dining hall food fine; different system than Wellesley. Many convenient grocery stores in area for cooking during weekend.

* 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? No

I would probably choose a program not in a large city like London -- while it is definitely an experience to have (living here), in the long run without a particular visa, it is costly and not very sustainable unless you or your family have deep pockets or something. Also, the messy interdepartmental system is not fun to deal with.

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)

Accommodation is EXPENSIVE, food is expensive, transportation is expensive (at least, while the GBP was stronger than USD)

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?
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Costs
  • Institution's organization
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? International student orientation program exists; registration and enrollment processes are different and you should email and ask questions regarding confusion early. The school is huge in comparison to Wellesley.

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.'