Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

London: Everything Will Work Out Past Review

By (Computer Science/Economics, Wellesley College) for

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think it was worthwhile to go abroad. I am more sure of myself and more independent now. I also feel more aware of global issues & affairs than before. The exposure to a different culture and education system was very interesting, and I think that it's nice to see another perspective.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I loved being at UCL. The professors expected students to be more independent and didn't assign much work, compared to my classes at Wellesley. I didn't feel like I learned much material from the classes, though I think I grew more as a person through interactions with other students & a new culture.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Housing details was not received until February, well after I had moved into my university housing and started classes. I had to fend for myself a lot, though there was an office for international students at UCL if things got *really* bad. It would have been nice to have known where I would have stayed on the first night, and/or had been assured a cell phone/Internet connection.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived right next to campus, in central London, so it was nice. My housemates were mostly female, which was nice. I had to buy everything but the furniture for my room, including desk lamp and sheets, etc.

* Food:

There's every sort of food imaginable in London, and lots of it around every corner.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I traveled a lot throughout the UK. Loved Wales.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I think it was pretty safe, though I didn't walk around after 12PM alone. No health issues or concerns.

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? About 200USD a week (food, travel, souvenirs, etc.), not including rent.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I had budgeted ~1000 USD per month and more or less stuck to that for the duration of my trip. Train tickets are much more expensive without a rail card.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None

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?

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  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

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  • Other
* 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? I would say to not worry too much about the details; as an independent Wellesley woman, you can handle anything that up (and there's always Starbucks' Internet, Wikipedia, and Google). Be spontaneous; some of my best memories come from events that I had heard about the day before/day of and just decided to go. Also, don't put off studying for exams until the last day; make sure you get a sense of what the exams are like *before* you go to the exam hall.