London: A Global City Past Review
By Misbah A (Health Policy Analysis., Wellesley College) for
King's College London: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I loved my study abroad experience! It was an amazing growth experience for me and I'm so glad I did it. I just wish it could've been longer.
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. |
The educational system in the UK is very different from the American system. Most of my classes only had 2 papers or 2 assessments that made up my entire grade. Furthermore, my classes had 1 hour lecture components as well as 1 hour seminar components that were smaller and designed for discussion. There was a lot of reading, but much of it was optional as only a smaller amount was required for weekly seminars. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The King's study abroad office was helpful in directing questions elsewhere, to other student support services. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was a King's College flat and was very safe and close to one of the King's campuses. |
* Food: |
Ready meals and groceries easily accesible sold everywhere. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
n/a |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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* Safety: |
I found London pretty safe. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably around $50-$100. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Travel within the city is expensive so I tried to walk when possible. |
Language
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
* What did you like most about the program? |
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* What could be improved? |
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* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I didn't go through a program, it was direct enrollment. So I'd say a student who wants his/her study abroad experience to truly be a growth experience and a time of real independence. |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
Health and Society |
Course Department: | MX1000 |
Instructor: | Matthew Todres |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | This was an amazing course! It was with other American pre-med students and involved different lecturers and topics every week. We took several field trips and it also had a shadowing component in which we got the chance to observe local physicians as well as operations. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | Yes. |
Course Name/Rating: |
The Immune System in Health and Disease |
Course Department: | Biochemistry |
Instructor: | Val Corrigal |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | This was a very large lecture course. Different lecturers came in to talk about their areas of expertise within the field of Immunology. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | Yes. |
Course Name/Rating: |
Early Modern Britain |
Course Department: | History |
Instructor: | Lucy |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | This was a great introductory course on early modern British history. However, I had a lot more interaction with my seminar tutor that with any of the course lecturers. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | Yes. |
Course Name/Rating: |
Islam's Beginnings |
Course Department: | Religion and Theology |
Instructor: | Hussam |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | This course was one of my favorite lectures due to its small size. The lecturer invited class participation and was very knowledgeable. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | Yes. |