Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Take chances and try something new, don't hesitate and just go all in. Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/16/2019 to 12/14/2019 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I got to connect with people from all over the world and got to see Europe for the first time in my life. I got to go to a large university in a metropolitan setting, and had a chance to essentially be a first-year again and see the process with a new set of eyes and take classes with graduate students on a topic I would not have been able to at home.

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.

Took fairly rigorous classes, thought the workload was what was expected from an abroad program, most classes I took took into consideration I was an exchange student. Most just had two major assignments over the course of the semester for our grades, rather than a bunch of smaller assignments on top of major papers and projects like at my home institution. Professors were not as accessible as my home institution, and classes were not always as engaging because they were lecture style.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived in John Dodgson House, UCL accommodation. Highly enjoyed this experience, clean single ensuite with a communal kitchen that I shared with 6 others. Location was fantastic, it was about a 10-15 minute walk to campus and a 5 minute walk from King's Cross Station. The West End was in walking distance, as well.

* Food:

Cooked for myself, living in London a variety of options were available, similar to American products.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Wish I had even more time, but got to understand the college system, people I spent the most time with were also exchange students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Did not have to use health care services

* Safety:

Safe for the most part, but there was a terrorist attack on London Bridge when I was in London. There was also a stabbing around the corner from where I lived which was near King's Cross, but these were mainly isolated incidents, I avoided going out by myself too late into the night, though.

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

I loved UCL, the classes I took, the place I lived, and all the opportunities I still have access to from my time at UCL. I will especially cherish my flatmates and friends I met in my time. I would not have done anything differently.

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 can be expensive, but the experience was once in a lifetime and worth the cost usually.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around 150 pounds a week (approximately $180)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? USE GIFFGAFF for your SIM card. Very cheap/affordable ( I spent about 12 pounds a month) for a good amount of data/calls (you will mostly be using data anyways). UCL gives you a free giffgaff sim card. At the time UK was still a part of the EU so the data could be used in other parts of Europe without extra charges, I think they don't have that anymore. But Giff Gaff was a lifesaver. Learn how to cook and learn how to grocery shop for yourself. TESCO's is life saving. The cheapest groceries you will find. If you have flatmates split the cost of dish soap, condiments you usually have in bulk. Set a budget for yourself. In London, take advantage of public transit especially the bus. Relatively safe to get around using the bus and tube even later at night, some buses run 24/7. Not only will it help you get around but you can also see so much of the city on it. Either get the country's currency exchanged before you leave the US (you'll get the best rates through your bank usually), or have a traveller's debit card. I ended up opening a credit card that had no foreign transaction fees to use while abroad. You can use your debit card (I had bank of america) but the transaction fees added up, it was around 3% per transaction. If you want, you can get a UK credit card like Monzo or Revolut or open up a bank account there if you're going to be there for more than a semester. I was only in London for a semester and didn't open a bank account.

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?
  • Academics
  • Location (London, Bloomsbury neighborhood)
  • Friends I made
* What could be improved?
  • better access/understanding of how health care works
  • more connection with local people
  • better understanding of social culture
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To figure out budgeting/currency exchange before/avoid using debit card. Lots of foreign transaction fees I wish could have been avoided. Take full. Advantage of your time abroad. You likely won't be a student in a foreign country ever again, or maybe even live in a foreign country ever again. Focus on the experiences and time spent with other people than making sure that one essay is perfect. I also wish I met more people from London/UK as most of my time was with other exchange students. I would try to join a club or society.

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 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.