Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

London: Europe's greatest city Past Review

By (Political Science and Government., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/13/2014 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?
200 % worth while. I wish I could have done the program for an entire year. Met so many international people, not just students from the UK. I learned how to be an American in an international setting. I learned that everyone is different but in many ways everyone is the same. Friendships and friendliness are things that will last a lifetime.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

London has great food. I didn't live in accommodation where food was including. But London has incredible restaurants and central London has grocery stores on every other block.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

London was such a international friendly city. Everything is homogeneous because everything is different. Very easy city to be foreign in.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

University College London provided and covered individual health care through NHS

* Safety:

I always felt safe living in central London, where there are always people around and CCTV provided for public safety. With every city though, it is always good to have vigilance in being aware of your surroundings even when in places where there are people around.

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)

London is as expensive as it gets.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget, budget, budget. And if you are traveling, it truly pays to plan and book early. You will save money by having solid plans in place.

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?
  • The people I met.
  • Learning from professors that had real world experience in the classes they were teaching.
  • Having the ability to travel throughout Europe.
* What could be improved?
  • I wish I had been able to talk to someone who had done my program before.
  • More advice on cultural excursions in the UK, not just London.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To be persistent with the University's administration. It isn't like how it is in the United States, where you are normally responded to quickly and with personalized specific information. You have to be VERY active and vigilant in getting answers from the system.

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.