Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

UCL: An academic mess Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/18/2019 to 12/13/2019 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Not worthwhile and I was forced to go due to IPE major. Didn't gain much.

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.

Resources and academic support were terrible. All of the assessments took place at the end of the semester and there was little to no interest by the professors or TA's to outline their expectations or provide support. The academic rigour was not terrible, but the grading was disproportionately harsh compared to the difficulty of the content and lectures.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Private housing accommodation.

* Food:

Made/found all my own food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I am British

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

UCL was not very accommodating of illness.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

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? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Some lectures and class field trips were fun
* What could be improved?
  • Creating a community for students to meet each other
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Lack of academic support and the school community.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

The Making of Modern America
Course Department: Institute of the Americas
Instructor: Various
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Uninteresting lectures and again very disproportionately tough grading compared to the content of lectures.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

International Political Economy
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Valentina Amuso
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Engaging content but very harsh grading.
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes, Middlebury would not accept this class for major credit even though it is an exact replica of a class I have to take for my major.
Course Name/Rating:

Urban Inequality and Global Development
Course Department: Arts and Sciences
Instructor: Alessio Koliusis
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Very engage class and lectures
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Information Through the Ages
Course Department: Arts and Sciences
Instructor: Sarah Wingate Gray
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great way to learn about information and data
Credit Transfer Issues: