Studying in London Isn't Picture Perfect Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/23/2019 to 12/13/2019 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 be independent and travel on my own. It was not worthwhile at all. I did not enjoy my semester there and wish I didn't go. I think Middlebury has this culture where everyone is pushed to study abroad because "you will regret it if you don't" but honestly it's hard for me to believe everyone loves it that much. I regret going and wish I would have just spent time back at Middlebury.

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 classes are a hit or miss. I loved one class but hated the other. I also took to other classes that were mediocre.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	I only met them at the 30-min orientation and never again. Every time I had questions about anything I was directed in so many different directions. I had a question about registration and was sent to three different offices and never got it answered. The administration was inaccessible and confusing
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived in the accommodation SOAS recommended and where most first-year & exchange students live. I enjoyed the residents in my hall. I did not enjoy the bathroom, specifically the shower, as it was a button that sprayed water to 10 seconds and turned off. I did like having my own room and bathroom.
* Food:	I had to buy/ cook my meals as there was no dining hall so I was able to cater to my own liking.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	When I was in London an attack, deemed to be a terrorist attack, occurred. My friend from Middlebury and I were definitely scared given it was close to where we were living. Also given u are in a big city there are always pickpocketing but I personally never experienced that.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No I really did not enjoy my time abroad. During my time abroad I was at a really low point and looking back I wish I never did go. Personally I would have had a better time spending the semester at Middlebury.

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)	I really depends on your budgeting. It is pretty easy to spend a lot of money if you eat out but if you're down to cook it can lessen costs. But keep in mind you are living in London and most things are overpriced. Everything adds up even with a budget.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Be mindful where you spend your money. I would cut back costs on food by not eating out too often and instead use money to travel and shop.

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 International 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?	Angela, the incredible TA in my development class
* What could be improved?	Check-in with Middlebury students attending external programs
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I knew that studying abroad is not for me

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Government and Politics in South Asia
Course Department:	Political Science
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was mediocre. I took it for my major but it was boring. The professor would lecture for a full 2 hours and rush through content. When I had questions he would not answer them thoroughly. The classroom where the class was held was so tiny and uncomfortable. The class had a discussion section which was not engaging at all. The professor would speed through things and expect us to know more than we were taught.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	International Development Programs
Course Department:	Development
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I took this class and learned so much. The professor was very skilled in the development field and had hands-on experiences in the past which were really exciting to learn. The TA, Angela, was my favorite person on campus and was so helpful. She led the discussion periods and did amazing activities that taught me so much. Both the professor and TA were incredible women who deserve so much good. I loved that this class had guest lectures come in and speak about certain topics and regions. I was always excited to attend and participate in this class!
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Urdu Literacy
Course Department:	Language
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Urdu
Comments:	Because I was an IGS-South Asia major I had to take a language course while abroad. Since I already spoke Urdu I decided to take this literacy class. At first, I was very excited to take it because it was such a cool thing to learn. My parents both are fluent in Urdu literacy so in an effort to maintain the fluency I wanted to learn everything I could. When I actually started taking the class the professor did not teach rather gave us worksheets. Given I had never read Urdu it was very difficult for me to understand anything on the worksheets (they were fully in Urdu). I asked the professor for help on multiple occasions because I was not grasping any of the material and his only advice was I should just "practice more". He sent me youtube videos on how to write the alphabet and made me watch them in class inside of teaching me in person. I came to quickly realize a majority of students in that class already were fluent in Urdu literacy and were taking it as an easy A. Overall I was very disappointed in the class and learned very little. I would not recommend taking this class.
Credit Transfer Issues: