Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Best Experience in my Life! Past Review

By (International Relations, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/19/2015 to 04/30/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Socializing, Living on my own, Learning and Adopting New Culture;

Review Photos

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

UCL, being one of the best institution in the UK, definitely has outstanding academic resources and environment for both domestic and international students from my perspective; however, I personally had relatively less rigorous academic experience in comparison to the United States.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Though I hardly any interaction with university-wide program administration, but course-focused advisers and administrators were really helpful in guiding international students to adopt and understand the UCL system.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was a bit expensive as I was housed at en-suite housing, but I was located right near Victoria station (transportation hub of London) which made my commute between uni and flat really easy by simply taking the tube.

* Food:

It was self-catered, and I am a horrific in terms of cooking so i mainly lived my life by eating outside or getting 'frozen' food from Sainsbury

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I made so many good British friends, especially the flat mates; the best way to make friends and integrate into UK society was definitely through going to the pubs with them.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Fortunately, I never had a reason to visit health care in the UK, but as soon as student enrolls in UCL. You are entitled to GP practice (some sort of clinic) located right in the UCL campus which doesn't put any burden on your shoulder for possible medications.

* Safety:

Central London felt safe for me, mainly due to the fact that I always hang out with British lads

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 is London after all, the biggest expenditure for me was transportation (oyster credit) and food

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 300 pounds sterling
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to utilize bus instead of tube, it does sum up; Learn how to cook the food or else you have to eat outside which is going to bankrupt you for sure!

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? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Friends
  • Culture
  • Different Education System
* What could be improved?
  • More interaction with Faculty
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I think it is quite important for American students to know how the educational system in UK, or at least UCL, works because it was really different from the US, particularly in terms of grading/assessing the courses.

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.