Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A very challenging and inspiring experience Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 10/01/2018 to 06/15/2019 with

London School of Economics (LSE): London - General Course, Year-Long Study Abroad Programme

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A different geographical setting gave me a different perspective in viewing many things; Also, London/ UK is a culturally prosperous city/country, which means you could enjoy history, museums, arts...

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I was stolen twice in central London...keep safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

LSE is a very academically challenging school when you choose courses that you are interested in but without the same level of knowledge preparation as local students (e.g. econometrics at LSE is taught way harder than my home institution). The different academic schedule, i.e. three terms/ exam month makes the overall study pace very different from American universities. Both of the reasons above make studying and struggling for a good grade pretty hard.

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)

London is a pretty expensive city to live

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200+
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Prepare your own food and not going to a restaurant will be a smart choice.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Academic
  • British culture
  • Challenge for adjusting and get invovled
* What could be improved?
  • Safety
  • Food
  • Finance
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to adjust to a different academic setting.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!