Past Review
By KatherineKing (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Tulane University) for
University College London (UCL): London - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I can hardly begin to write about everything I experienced in my nine months in London. Every day was extraordinary, even the bad ones. It's ineffable. I didn't come home for Christmas. I didn't want to come home in June. I met people who have changed my life and my perspective on the world. I made friends I will never lose contact with. I found out that I am stronger than I had ever imagined. I am smarter than I thought I was. I have grown, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Full-Year 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The coursework was insanely challenging, and I didn't like the fact that your grade is determined by so few factors (e.g. one exam and one essay), but all of that was outweighed by the quality of instruction and tutorial discussion that accompanied the coursework. The tutors and the students genuinely care about their field, and they are deeply involved in its exploration and the issues that surround it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
UCL's orientation was fairly helpful. It focused on preparing the students for what awaited them academically at UCL and on all the wonderful opportunities that accompany living in London. However, there was very little support for international affiliate students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I know some people who complained about being rather distant from campus and in a dodgy locale, but my neighbourhood was incredibly safe. I felt comfortable walking home late at night by myself, and I never had to go far for anything, be it groceries, coffee, or the library. There's a pub on every corner in London, and they were especially plentiful in central London, but the best nightlife was a 10 minute bus ride away in Camden Town. The clubs are located all over the city, but everything is accessible via the Tube or the bus, or even on foot for me. |
| * Food: |
I cooked for myself ("non-catered caccommodations") because I'm a vegetarian. I'd recommend it for anyone, however, because I know many people who lived in catered accommodations and hated the food. We had a huge kitchen and plenty of cabinet and refrigerator space. If we got tired of cooking, there were always myriad options for take-away, pub food, and Indian food in particular. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved everything about London, England, and every other country I visited in Europe. I had more museums than I was able to visit available to me, and I never lacked for something to do. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
NHS is not all it's cracked up to be, but I know that had there been an emergency, everything would have been handled well. Non-emergency healthcare is, on the other hand, difficult to come by, and waiting lists are long. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Oh, I have no idea. It was expensive, but not soul-crushingly so. Groceries aren't that expensive, and your expenses depend mostly on the exchange rate and how often you eat out/go out. Going out, especially to clubs, can be expensive, but I ate out once or twice a week, went to pubs, etc and didn't feel like it was too extravagant. You can easily rack up some serious expenses with Tube fare, but an Oyster Card helps, and there's no way to really avoid it. All the museums are free, and there are all sorts of student discounts for the theatre, ballet, and other sorts of entertainment. Going to the cinema can be rough, but the Odeon in Camden Town is the cheapest multiplex in London, and there's a place in Chinatown that is absolutely dirt cheap. You just have to do a little research and save where you can. It's not a crisis situation. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I have a better understanding and deployment of academic writing than I did before UCL. |
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
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be prepared for something earth-shattering. The academics are hard. Very very hard. Be prepared to suffer. But also be prepared to fall in love with London, with British culture, and with Europe in general. Don't be afraid. Throw yourself into it, into a full year of being on your own in a new place. |
