Past Review
By Lily Z (Economics., Wellesley College) for
University of Cambridge, Pembroke College: Cambridge - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile. I learned a significant amount from my courses and was able to develop and enhance my essay writing skills. Even more importantly, from this program I've realized what area within economics I'm most interested in pursuing.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Cambridge |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Wellesley's study abroad office was very quick to answer any of our questions and set up many resources such as study abroad conferences, mentor programs, and information sessions. We could drop into the office at any point if we had further questions. However, the office was never clear about whether or not the University of Cambridge was providing visas for its students, but still encouraged us to apply for them in case we wanted to volunteer or do internships. However, it was not until after I applied and already submitted the visa fee, and after I myself contacted Pembroke college, did I manage to find out that Pembroke was no longer issuing visa documentation. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Graduating hostel on Chesterton Road, Cambridge <br /><br /> The hostel was a bit far, but most of us rented bikes so proximity was not a problem. Overall I was satisfied with our housing, but not really with the cleanliness of my housemates. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 pounds |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | There were not many expenses that I had not anticipated. I had anticipated hiring a bike, taking the train to London, cab fare, grocery expenses etc. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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 |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Students who are very self-driven and can work independently. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Interwar Period Economics |
| Course Department: | Economics Paper 2B: Topics in Economic History |
| Instructor: | Nigel Knight |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Yes, the course was definitely challenging. Dr. Nigel Knight was incredibly knowledgeable and a very clear and articulate in his explanations. However, the one-on-one sessions were less discussion based as I had hoped it would be. Because it was only a one hour meeting ever time, when we reviewed my essays, Dr. Knight would give me corrections and I would have very little time to discuss my viewpoints or reasoning. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Yes, I do receive one transfer credit. This was a great course, although one of the less popular economics classes. However, because there are fewer students, you have more opportunity to participate in lecture, which is very rare especially at an institution that is so large. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Macroeconomics |
| Course Department: | Economics Paper 2B: Macroeconomics |
| Instructor: | Rid Dasgupta |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course was great because you are given the choice of what you would like to study, so long as your research topic falls under the general umbrella of Macroeconomics. However, my tutor was a PhD student who had a masters in Economics, but was now studying Law, and I felt as if he could not provide me with help with the necessary economic theory for the dissertation I wrote. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Yes, I did receive transfer credit. The Macroeconomics course is a very open and flexible course. The lectures were great and the professors gave you very interesting readings. However, which tutor you are provided with is completely random and luck of the draw really. |
