Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An interesting look at a different academic culture Past Review

By (Economics., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 06/05/2012 with

SOAS, University of London: London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to handle large amounts of reading and writing. I got a different perspective on economics than I would from Trinity. I met interesting people with strong opinions. I became much more familiar with the academic literature of economic development than I would probably anywhere else, though I sacrificed the chance to improve quantitative skills. I would say that, overall, my study abroad experience was worthwhile, and helped cement my career goals.

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:

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • support from the international office
  • diverse group of people
  • location
* What could be improved?
  • SOAS' bureaucracy
  • tutorial sessions
  • overall academic support for students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had been aware of exactly how differently courses were taught, and how poorly the institution itself was run. There is very little contact with either lecturers or tutors, and too much red tape.