Keep Calm and Don't Go Broke Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

LSE is an incredibly hard school. Its purpose is to have the most employable students possible. Therefore all the academic programs, especially economics, are incredibly challenging and are about 90% independent study. However, the level of difficulty makes an LSE degree very attractive to employers and post-grad programs.

On-site administration of your program

Arcadia was incredibly helpful in my initial days in London. Many of my friends on the General Course did not have the same comprehensive orientation that Arcadia provided and so I felt I had a leg up on them during the first few weeks at LSE.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed in High Holborn Hall, which is the closest to campus. With High Holborn, you will essentially be paying for location over amenities . The renovated rooms (which I was moved to for Lent and Summer Terms) are incredibly nice, whereas the original rooms (where I spent Michaelmas Term) were sparse and drab. Regardless of whether they are renovated or not, the singles are small, but that is the price of living in Central London. Everything is very conveniently located from Holborn including the night life, campus, and the grocery store.

The majority of food shopping is done on your own, but you will also receive an LSE sQuid card with 400 pounds which can be used at a number of locations. The food at these locations is very good, but can get a little repetitive.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Unlike other programs in England, LSE puts you right in with the regular students. I was able to make really good English, American, and other nationality friends. Being there for an academic year also led me to feel more integrated in English society. I genuinely felt like a Londoner by the end.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Arcadia provides health insurance that worked fine. I went to the doctor once and it was just like any visit with an American doctor. However, the insurance company could not pay up front and so I payed out of pocket and it took a long time to get reimbursed.

For a major city I felt incredibly safe. I wasn't involved in any major incidents and didn't hear of a single incident of pickpocketing. However, it is a city and there is still crime. I just can't imagine a city getting much safer though.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

After living in London for a few weeks, you will laugh and then cry at how expensive the city is. Eventually you will figure out the cheapest possible way to live, but every new adventure has the possibility to bankrupt you. You will need to be very careful with money, especially being there for a year.

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• Dorm
• Host Family
• Hotel
• Hostel

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students
• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The students (both general course and regular)
• The academics
• The night life

• Prepraring students for the academic intensity
• Preparing students for financial burden