Cheers London Past Review

By A student (Economics, Psychology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/24/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

University College London (UCL): London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned that, fortunately, in almost every major European city it's not too hard to find someone that speaks English. It was great to see the different cultures and to learn about our "cousins" (as they call us) across the pond in London. It was worthwhile and I would recommend it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I enjoyed my time at UCL. To be honest, I did not know the academic reputation of the school before applying, and I was surprised to find out that it was one of the top schools in the UK. I did not have any graded assignments until the end of the semester, which was a new experience for me. Because of this, I feel that the academic rigor was less than at my home school (Middlebury). However, this also probably reflected the fact that I spent less time on academic work due to being abroad. I assume resources where available, but I did not spend much time in the library. While I would have wished that the work was easier (especially at the end of the semester), it was a fair workload that gave me the opportunity to learn.
* 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)	Sometimes I wondered where all my money was disappearing to.

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 Americans International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International 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?	Being in central London Getting to know English people Being able to travel
* What could be improved?	London stores need to be open after 10pm Ramsay Hall should not have as many fire alarms There could have been more guidance for international students on what was expected for exams/papers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish that I had known to take classes that don't meet on Mondays and/or Fridays. It was difficult to travel on short weekends.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	HARC2207
Course Department:	History of Art and Architecture
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	Most classes where trips to see different architecture in London. The class was interesting or not depending on if I enjoyed the particular building.
Credit Transfer Issues:	n/a

Course Name/Rating:	PSYC2207 Perception, Attention, Action
Course Department:	Psychology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	The class was taught by several different professors, none of whom I particularly enjoyed. The material was very in-depth, albeit presented in a confusing manner.
Credit Transfer Issues:	n/a

Course Name/Rating:	ECON7006 Economics of Regulation
Course Department:	Economics
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	The instructor did a great job of supplying the needed information on very in-depth class notes. The material however was very dull and only relevant to anyone who wants to work for a regulator or a regulated business.
Credit Transfer Issues:	n/a

Course Name/Rating:	ECON7005 Economics of the Public Sector
Course Department:	Economics
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	Class was very important to attend because complete lecture notes were not available. The material was diverse, but the final exam was fair and relatively easy.
Credit Transfer Issues:	n/a