London: Don't Think Twice, It's Alright Past Review
By William H (International Relations and Affairs., Tufts University) for
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in London
Yes, I learned a lot about managing my time and money.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | SOAS |
| 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 UK system is much more independent and the onus is on the individual to talk to the professors, get work done, etc. There's no midterm and most of your grade will be based on the end of year final, which is cumulative for the whole year. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Their career services was lacking. Overall, it was a bureaucracy to talk to certain people and ask about courses. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Accommodation was a suite-styled flat with a bathroom and shower in every room. The kitchen was communal. Location was 20 minutes from campus - a little annoying. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
London riots were crazy. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
There is a lot of crime around the SOAS dorm. |
| 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) |
|
| 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? | Cook food instead of eating out |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3rd year Chinese |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I studied Chinese in London, so it was hard to use the language on a day-to-day basis. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You'll enjoy this if you're hip, cosmopolitan, and looking to meet diverse people. |
