Past Review
By Laura R (American/United States Studies/Civilization., Wellesley College) for
King's College London: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was an amazing experience and I would go back in a heartbeat. However, I will not remember my time in London because of King's College by any means. KCL will be a footnote in the story of my time abroad. My time was made memorable because of the people I met, the traveling i did, and the time I spent getting to know London and making it my own.
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The professors were great- approachable, knowledgeable, and interested but the quality of the curriculum was lacking depth. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very slow to communicate- I didn't find out I got into my program till the end of november and I had to arrive at the beginning of january. ALthough i did not need a visa for one semester of study, I would not have had time to get one if I wanted to stay throygh the summer. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was assigned an outrageously expensive dorm through King's, so I found housing indepdently. <br /><br /> My aunt and uncle live in london, so I spent many nights a week at their place. But I also had my own housing at Nido in King's Cross. Nido is a privately owned student accommodation. it is very new, clean, and modern. It is a great location, b/t King's Cross and Angel. very helpful staff and nice facilities. A good mix of international and american students. |
* Food: |
I love english grocery stores! |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My interactions with KCL beyond academics was almost non-existant. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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* Safety: |
Did not experience any health problems. Always felt very safe in london. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | I probably spent abotu 100 gbp a week, with additional 100 gbp per month for transportation. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | There is not a lot of free wireless internet in london like there is in the united states- you have to pay at many cafes. |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't be too over-ambitious academically. I took all highest level courses, which were much more demanding than lower level classes. However, the increased time committment was not matched by quality of instruction or learning experience as a whole. In general, going abroad means sacrificing the academics of Wellesley in exchange for not only an amazing cultural learning development, but also self-exploration and development. My advice for students going abroad is to focus on those to opportunities and make the most of them. |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
Gothic Southern Literature |
Course Department: | 6AAU9045 |
Instructor: | Susan Castillo |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | Great selections of reading, but terribly dull lectures and painfully shallow discussions. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |
Course Name/Rating: |
The Perverse Section |
Course Department: | 6AAU9020 |
Instructor: | John Howard |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | Professor Howard is intelligent, engaging, and charismatic. i could have listened to him lecture for hours. Of all my professors, I found him the most engaging and held his students to the highest of expectations. Although I have some reservations over the selection of reading material, I thoroughly enjoyed the class and learned a lot. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |
Course Name/Rating: |
The American West |
Course Department: | 6AAU9042 |
Instructor: | Janet Floyd |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | Janet made me a bit uncomfortable personally, but she held her students accountable for the material and was good at leading discussion. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |
Course Name/Rating: |
An American Decade: |
Course Department: | 5AAU9044 |
Instructor: | GAIL MACLEITCH |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | |
Credit Transfer Issues: | Wonderful, fun and friendly professor. Interesting and diverse curriculum. Dynamic student-led presentations and discussions. |