Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

FREEing Past Review

By (Neuroscience, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/07/2015 to 06/12/2015 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think at Wellesley I often get bogged down with stress and little homework assignments, but studying abroad I learned to use my time more efficiently since I wanted to spend less time studying and more time exploring. I also learned that I can learn the same amount and do just as well in school being a lot less stressed.

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.

UCL's academic rigor was less intense than I am used to at Wellesley. Generally speaking, every class only has 1 or 2 exams that account for 100% of your grade. The exam material itself was also less difficult compared to Wellesley's exam material.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Decent. There could have been a little better communication at times.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My accommodations were reasonably old and worn out, but the location was perfect! Right in the heart of central london!

* Food:

I took the catered option at UCL. The food was mediocre.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The cultural differences were subtle, but definitely present. It took me a couple of weeks to feel fully integrated into the local culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any health issues abroad, therefore cannot answer this question.

* Safety:

I felt very safe most everywhere I was in london.

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 definitely an expensive city and is definitely not the easiest city to live on a student's budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Was catered.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Groceries were not very expensive so if you are trying to save money DONT eat out, take the time to make your own meals at home and use your money other places.

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 friends I made
  • The city
  • The relaxed school environment
* What could be improved?
  • Abroad communication (UCL to abroad students)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that the local students are a wealth of knowledge and also very kind. I spent a lot of my time afraid to approach the local students and because of that did not make very many close connections with them. I think by not making these connections I lost a huge valuable aspect of the abroad experience.