Fantastic time, but not for academics per se Past Review

By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/09/2019 to 12/13/2019 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I loved London and UCL, but not nessecarily for the academics. I had some world class professors, second-to-none, but going from Wellesley (small school, nice profs who care, etc.) to a large public university with your entire grade based off of one paper, was challenging. Being in London was great - I explored so much, took budget airlines abroad, and wish I could go back in time and have traveled more.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:	I cooked for myself, UCL doesn't really do catered halls, and I heard the one catered hall wasn't that good anyway. But my dorm had a kitchen in the basement so it was easy to cook, plus the location was good for takeaway.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I had no experience with this
* Safety:	London isn't really known for being safe, so I never felt particularly comfortable, but as long as you stick to well lit areas and with groups of people (like, not walking in a dark alleyway by yourself) then all is fine
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

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 ish
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	It's very easy to spend a lot of money in London because there's so much to do and buy. If you need to make a quick buck, a good way to do it is through participating in research studies at places like LBS. Also, pay attention to stores that offer student discounts or apps like Unidays

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 world-class brag-worthy professors
* What could be improved?	transparency UCL giving clarity and being on top of things
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	For psych students at UCL you have to take this seminar (its required) and its the biggest waste of your time. I wish I had never taken it. It's almost worth dual-enrolling in a different program there so you don't have to take it

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.'