Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Expensive but Exquisite London Past Review

By (Art History/Chinese, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/23/2013 to 06/13/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I would definitely reccommend studying abroad, especially for the whole year if you are going to London. It is a place that is new but still comfortable, you won't want to leave. It was only by being there the entire year that I was able to truly start to make a life there, getting an internship in fashion (a dream come true), a job, and joining a run club which I had great friends in. Most of my life was outside of school, which was a big contrast to college in the US, and I feel it really prepared me for real life. Although it is expensive, it is worth every penny. It's cliche, but I truly feel I 'found myself' abroad, discovering what I really wanted to do and becoming more confident in my personality.

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.

Plenty of available resources, but the teaching is much more hands off, relying on the students to teach themselves. Not a lot of motivation to continuously study, which creates a problem for exams at the end of the year.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Not helpful in choosing courses, I didn't get any of the courses that I was told I could.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was new and very clean. Really nice to have my own bathroom, large kitchen. However, all international students, which made it hard to make friends with British students.

* Food:

cooked for myself, but VERY expensive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt like I was a resident of London, but not a member of the school as they don't integrate international students well. I did not have really any non-international friends because the students in the classes that are british are all upper-level and already have friends.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Never had any concerns.

* Safety:

Incredibly safe, I never felt scared walking home at night alone.

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)

It was incredibly difficult, food is very expensive in general, as is transportation and London is not a very walkable city.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100 pounds
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get a student travel card, use the coupons for the grocery store, don't eat out a lot.

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
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?
  • Having free time to have a real life rather than just school
  • Ability to travel outside of the country
  • Independence
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with British students in school life
  • More aid from home institution to adequately support basic costs
  • Better preparation for student on the academic situation-e.g. how it is different and the grading system
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Save double the money for the trip than you think you need, and try to get an internship while abroad (you need a visa for this).

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.