Best semester ever 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?
I learned how to be more independent, live alone (more or less), and travel. I would do it again.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

When I had an issue with housing, I was able to go directly to the building and get it sorted.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived in UCL housing - Goldsmid House

* Food:

Cafeteria available in the school

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Joined the UCL boat club

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Walked in to NHS, seen by nurses, walked out with medicine, very easy and similar to Urgent Care in the US

* Safety:

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

The classes in the political science and anthropology departments both had lectures and tutorial sessions, which were table conversations with the professor in group settings of no more than 15 students. This provided the opportunity to learn what it was like to be in a bigger university setting while still maintaining close relationships with the professors.

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? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook for yourself, go to grocery stores outside the city center, share cooking supplies with flatmates

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
  • 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?
  • Easy to adjust as an affiliate student
* What could be improved?
  • Closer student support
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Planned traveling before the semester so that I didn't have to miss some weekends or being in London for the mid-semester week off

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A 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.