UCL Past Review
By Sophie J (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Wellesley College) for
University College London (UCL): London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was worthwhile in the sense that I became much more independent and traveled everywhere. I enjoyed my time in London and think that it was a great personal, rather than academic experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was a joke. Two, 2,000 word essays were the basis of my entire grade, along with mandatory attendance. For those students staying a whole year, the grade would be based off of one 2,000 essay and a 2-hour exam at the end of the year. Readings for each week's class were about the same as my school. Because the in-class grade was only based on mandatory attendance, there was no incentive to participate, do the readings, or be involved in the classroom experience at all. Many students never spoke at all during the three months, and learning is stunted as a result. There were no in class discussions - both the result of students who couldn't be bothered and the teacher's plan to lecture for two hours. The art history department also didn't provide desks - they are facing space issues and had students seated in chairs, hunched over and writing over their desks. One class was relocated to a large classroom in the engineering department because there were just too many students to be crammed into the room they used. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I found the program to be disappointing, academically speaking. Living in London was great, but I was routinely disappointed. Class sizes were really large for me, and I had the aforementioned issues with classes. Support services were there, but you must specify that you are a study abroad student, rather than just an international student in order to get help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My proximity to class was great - I had to buy all of my sheets, cookware, everything. Internet was annoyingly plug-in based and frequently went out with bad weather. |
| * Food: |
I cooked my own meals so as to save money and be satisfied with its quality. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Every student should have street smarts - like keeping their purse close by their body at all times, walking home with a friend, etc. Healthwise I didn't have any issues. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around 260 for everything. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | London is very expensive. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't come if you're an art history student and want an academic experience similar to one at home. Come if you want an easy program where you have time to explore London and have a great time. |
