London: The People, Culture, and Travel Trump All Else Past Review
By Ethan G (Economics., Middlebury College) for
University College London (UCL): London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
100%. Studying Abroad has been a huge part of my college experience. I learned how to be a patient traveler! I learned how to make new friends and learn from strangers. I have a much better understanding for how my studies fit in to the context of the world and I would take an opportunity to live in London or travel again.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload is intense, but the amount of class time is less than that of Middlebury. The grading system is completely different from anything I had experienced before UCL and it is quite tricky to adapt to. A Pass/Fail system for U.S. Students seems to me like a much more fair and justified approach to the Study Abroad semester as it lets students focus on adaptation to the culture and not worry about a specific grade in a large University where Study Abroad students are directly enrolled rather than in a specific U.S. Abroad program. I found the reading materials to be very interesting and I enjoyed learning about economics from a UK viewpoint rather than my traditional US approach. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Students at UCL directly enroll in the University and therefore, no special treatment was given to me as a Study Abroad Student. There was no Faculty Leader. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a dorm with incoming first years as well as a number of American Study Abroad Students. I loved living in a dorm with real UCL students and my integration with them helped add massive value to my cultural experience. |
| * Food: |
The dining hall food was average at best. But the markets in London are incredible and they are the secret to getting a lot of food for cheap! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As a soccer player, the football atmosphere was incredible for me. Nothing was arranged by my program, but I found traveling to be extremely rewarding. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I was not a part of a program. The key to safety and health service in London is to be proactive, aware of your surroundings, and the A&E (Accident and Emergency) is available similar to a walk-in clinic in the U.S. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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
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* 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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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Focus on the classes you want to take and talk to other students who have gone in regards to the grading system. Beyond that, I'm jealous of anyone going to London! |
