Department
France
School of European Languages, Culture
Type of Placement
& Society (SELCS)
University Placement
Degree Programme (e.g. BA French and
Where did you spend your second
Russian)
semester abroad?
BA Italian and French
Different place than the first semester
Year in which abroad
Country:
2012/13
Italy
Where did you spend your first semester
Type of Placement
abroad?
University Placement
Before Departure
How would you rate your preparation by your department(s)?
Good
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
Many individual members of the department seemed happy to discuss various Year
Abroad options over, which was very helpful to get an idea of the pros and cons of the
various options/locations on offer.
How would you rate your preparation by the Study Abroad Team?
Satisfactory
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
Many talks and slide shows were prepared. I did feel however that a few senior
members of the Team could have been more approachable.
Did you attend the Pre-Departure briefing organised by the Study Abroad Team in March?
Yes
If yes, did you find it useful?
Yes
Please give feedback/suggest any improvements:
A lot of information was provided
How would you rate your own preparation ahead of studying abroad?
Good
Could you have done more to prepare yourself before leaving UCL? If so, please give
details:
Could you have been better prepared by UCL? If so, please give details:
As part of your preparation, did you do any of the following (tick all that apply):
- Contact the Study Abroad Team
- Contact third year students who were studying abroad at the time
- Consult the resources in Moodle or on the Study Abroad website
- Consult your host institution's website
If you contacted the Study Abroad Team, what did you seek advice about? Did you find the
advice useful?
What exactly was expected of us academically for the year abroad and queries about the
host institutions which they may have known from previous experience where this
information was not provided by the host institutions themselves. I felt that there was
possibly a lack of communication/contradictions between the host institutions and the
Study Abroad Team at UCL
Prior to departure, were you given clear instructions by your department on what was
expected of you academically during your year abroad?
No
How did you prepare yourself for the academic aspect of your year abroad programme?
It was quite difficult to understand exactly what was expected academically from the
year abroad. Provided information was often contradictory and therefore led to much
confusion.
What advice would you offer to students prior to making a decision about where to study
abroad?
To really consider the type of town they were going to and think about if it would be for
them. However, this does not mean being afraid to choose somewhere where you've
never been before. I did this and was very glad with my decision.
What advice would you give to students preparing to go abroad? What things should they
make sure to do ahead of beginning their year abroad?
Think about what they want to achieve before the end of their time there carefully in
order to get the most out of it, as it comes to an end very quickly.
Your Placement - University
Name of your host university:
L'Orientale, Universita degli studi di Napoli
Location (city and country):
Naples, Italy
Was your university placement part of an ERASMUS or other exchange programme?
Yes
When did you receive confirmation of acceptance from the host university?
Spring 2012
When did your placement start?
Spring 2013
How did you get to your placement? Please give rough details of the journey and costs:
National Express coach to London victoria (same cost as above)
Gatwick Express £15
Flight to Naples £200
Enrolment and Course Registration
Please describe the enrolment process at your host university. What formalities did you have
to complete, and, in particular, what documents did you need to have in order to enrol? (e.g.
carte de séjour, passport, nomination letter). As an international student, were you given any
special help with enrolment?
Passport, Copy of passport photo, Letter from UCL
Just head to the Erasmus Co-ordinator and they enroll you and talk you through
everything
Were any special orientation events/meetings provided for study abroad students? If so,
please give details.
Probably, but because I arrived in the second term, I wasn't really sure of what was
going on as they had the exam period for the previous term still going on.
Is there any advice you would give to future students ahead of enrolling at this university?
Registering for Courses
How easy was it to finalise and register your course choices?
Quite easy
Please give details of the procedures and how to choose or change courses:
I was directed to the layout online, but I still went into the Erasmus office to check
everything
Was obtaining information about courses and timetables difficult or simple?
Average
If difficult, what advice would you offer on how to obtain the information?
I had to ask them to email me the link as I could not navigate myself well through their
website
Academic Life
At your host university, who helped you with the academic or administrative aspects of your
year abroad? Please tick all that apply:
- International Office / Erasmus Office
Please give names of helpful individuals if possible:
Valeria de Bonis
Please indicate what kind of help you received (e.g. with course registration; general
academic advice; specific assistance with coursework; specific assistance with dissertation
preparation; instructions concerning coursework; instructions concerning assessment):
With my course registration, and general advice about how to get things done around
the university and city. Very friendly and helpful.
Please comment on the number of classes you took and how many hours a week that
constituted in the classroom. Please also mention the amount of work you had to do outside
class on average:
I took on 3 courses, one of which was extremely intense; 2 hours a day, 5 days a week,
which is why it equated to 10 credits alone. The other two courses were 3 hours a week
each respectively. So in total, that makes 16 hours a week in the classroom and then
about 2 hours a night had to be done outside of classtime.
Please describe the nature of the classes (i.e. large lectures, smaller seminar groups etc.) What
was the average lecture/class size?
A mixture of them both. Average class size was 25.
Please describe the mode of assessment for the courses you took (e.g. written/oral exam,
essay/project etc.) and its timing (e.g. mid or end of year). Were there coursework
requirements (presentations, essays etc.)?
Varied from written, oral, presentations and essays.
Please comment on the availability and approachability of teaching staff at your host
university:
Very approachable, and reasonably available.
How would you rate the teaching at your host university:
Good
How would you rate the selection of courses offered:
Good
How would you rate the intellectual level of the material covered:
Good
How would you rate the difficulty of the courses at your host university compared to UCL:
The same as UCL
Please give details:
If you attended a university where the language of instruction was not English, did you
experience any language difficulties?
Yes
Did your tutors make allowances for your not being a native speaker?
Yes
If yes, please give details:
One of my teachers offered to make an effort in the classroom to speak more clearly.
Facilities
Library provision:
Access to computers, internet etc.:
Little
Clubs and societies (type, range, and cost):
Sporting facilities (type, range, and cost):
Other:
Summary
Why did you choose to spend your year abroad at this university in particular?
Because I had heard that it was very similar to SOAS which has always interested me as
an institution. Naples is also a great place to study I had heard. And it is true.
Are you glad that you did so?
Yes
Would you recommend this university to future UCL students?
Yes
Please explain why:
As the university is situated in the heart of Naples, the historic centre, you are really
studying and getting the full experience of Naples at the same time. Also, the fact that
the centre is reasonably small, adds to a campus- vibe. Lastly, many prestigious
studying institutions are situated in the historic centre, like the Conservatory of Music
for eg and so you are surrounded by different types of students and it's fantastic.
Everyone's doing something.
How would you rate the placement overall?
Very good
How would you rate the placement within the context of your degree programme?
Very good
Is there any specific advice you would offer to students considering a placement at this
university?
Accommodation
What type of accommodation did you obtain?
Private accommodation
If you stayed in private accommodation, please indicate whether this was a personal choice,
or whether you did so because accommodation was not provided by your host institution:
The host institution did not provide accommodation
How easy was it to find accommodation?
Easy
How long did it take you to find accommodation?
a week
Did you stay in temporary/short stay accommodation while you looked for something
permanent? If so, please give details:
Yes, I stayed with my friend for a month whilst I sorted myself with an apartment for
myself and enrolled etc
Please give details of how you found your accommodation. When did you start looking, and
where did you look? Please list any websites, agencies, newspapers or other resources which
future students might find helpful when looking for accommodation.
through word of mouth and websotes such as easystanza.it
Please describe the type of accommodation you stayed in, its location and level of comfort.
Did you live in a shared flat/live with a local family/other? Did you have a single or double
room? What were the kitchen and other facilities like? What was or wasn't provided (e.g.
bedding, kitchen utensils)? Did you feel that the accommodation represented good value for
money?
I stayed in a shared flat with other italian students. It was situated in a very central
location. I had a double room and there was ample space in the flat..a lounge, kitchen, 2
balconies and a terrace. Kitchen utensils and bedding was already provided. The
accomodation was excellent value for the money.
What was the average monthly rent? What was included in this cost (e.g. bills, internet, food
etc.)? Please give as much detail as possible about the costs associated with your
accommodation:
Monthly rent including condiminium was 345 euros. Food costs in Naples are minimal
and for optimum quality.
Did you live with locals, or with other foreign students? Were you able to practice your
language skills and interact with local students in your accommodation?
I lived with 3 locals and 1 other Erasmus student who was spanish but had already been
in Naples for 6 months and so spoke Italian very well. Not all of them were the same age
as me, a couple were ten years older, so perhaps not for everyone. However I enjoyed it.
Would you recommend this accommodation to future students?
Yes
If yes, please give the address of the residence and, if possible, contact details for the owner:
People are already moving into the flat, for good it seems..
What type of accommodation would you advise future students to look for (private flat,
shared flat/house, stay with local family etc.)?
Shared flat. But look on the posters up around the city and try and avoid being in a flat
with just erasmus students which means you would only be speaking english or broken
italian.
Which parts of your host town/city would you recommend living in. Are there any parts of
the town/city which should be avoided?
Historic Centre. With Naples you have to be careful as some areas are in fact quite
dangerous. Stick to Historic Centre, but it's always very easy to find something and the
prices are still reasonable.
Is there any other advice you would like to share with future students looking for
accommodation in your host town/city?
Finance
How much money did you need on arrival (e.g. for housing deposits, rent and other start-up
costs)?
690 euros for flat deposit plus start up costs
1. Cost of Living
Rent (per month):
345
Bills (electricity, gas, water, internet, phone etc.):
Books (overall amount spent on books during your stay):
40
Food (weekly):
30
A (simple) meal (in a cafe or restaurant):
4
A coffee (in a cafe or bar):
0.80
A beer (in a cafe or bar):
2
A cinema ticket:
6
Local travel (weekly):
Entertainment (weekly):
30
Any other regular costs:
In total, how much did you spend per month on average?
600
How would you rate the cost of living in your host town/city when compared to London?
Much Cheaper
Please give details. Were there certain things which were more expensive than in the UK, and
others which were cheaper?
Food, transport, alcohol, restuarants, accomodation..almost everything was cheaper
than it is in London. The only problem is that flights can be quite expensive to get out
here in the first place.
2. Working
Is supplementing your income through part-time work a viable option?
Yes
If yes, do you have any advice about what type of work to look for, or where to look? Please
give the names of any employers or agencies you worked for, and any newspapers, websites
or notice boards you would recommend:
I worked as an english tutor which is very good money, very flexible and enjoyable. And
as a mother tongue it is very easy to find work. Make a advert on the website subito.it
for free.
Does your host institution help with finding part-time work?
No
3. Banking
Did you open a bank account in your host country?
No
No: If no, why not? How did you access money while abroad?
Thomas Cook passport
Would you recommend opening a local bank account? If so, which bank(s) or account(s)
would you recommend?
General
1. Social Factors (Opportunities and Ease of Meeting People)
How much interaction did you have with local students?
A lot, just be meeting them around the town.
How much interaction did you have with other international students?
Quite a bit.
In your experience, what were the best ways of meeting people?
Being out in the squares, through your italian flatmates
If you were studying in a country where the local language is not English, how often did you
speak the local language?
Very often
2. Mobile Phones
Would you recommend getting a mobile phone with a local tariff as well as/instead of your
English mobile?
Yes
Please give details. Are there any mobile providers you would recommend?
Vodaphone
Transport
Was local transport good or bad? Please give details of local transport you used:
Very very unreliable
What was the cost of local transport? Are there any special deals or discounts for students?
Not really. 1.30 euro for 90mins on bus or metro or cable car
Did you travel more widely within your host country or within the region? How easy was it
to travel, and was it expensive to do so?
yes I travelled all around the south of italy as the trains are very cheap.
Life in your Host Country
Please comment on the social life and entertainment in your host city/country, or any other
aspects of life there which you would like to share:
Very good social life. I advise to get involved in the local country dancing.
Is there any advice you would give to someone preparing to live in your host city/country?
To really get involved in the city in terms of it's culture. It's got an incredibly strong
character and you will leave after your time here feeling as if you've begun to
understand a completely different version of a european attitude towards life.
Did you experience any problems/difficulties while living in your host city which you would
like to share with the Study Abroad Team?
I had to move out of my first flat within three weeks due to problems with a flatmate.
She was about 10 years older than me and it turned out that she was slightly crazy
which lead me to feel threatened at home and so I had to find somewhere else very
quickly. Although this is nothing that the Study Abroad team could have helped me
with particularly, just worth mentioning to warn future erasmus students that if this
happens to them to, it is definitely worth removing yourself from that situation
immediately.
Study Abroad - Summary
Did you find your year abroad rewarding academically?
Yes
Please give reasons for your answer:
Incredibly so. Both universities were incredibly prestigious and I am very grateful to
have had the chance to study there but also to recognise the difference in the teaching in
various countries. I also had the chance to study outside of my degree which I felt gave
me a further understanding of the countries themselves. Ie, studying Philosophy at the
Sorbonne.
Did you find your year abroad rewarding in non-academic respects?
Yes
Please give reasons for your answer:
Yes. I was very fortunate to make incredible friends and create links with both towns
which enables me to return with ease.
How would you rate your year abroad experience overall?
Very good
Please give reasons for your answer:
I feel like I benefitted from every possible aspect. The only thing I have struggled with
was the expenses of Paris.
Do you feel that you have developed skills which will be of use to you in future?
Yes
a) My cultural awareness:
Has increased greatly
b) My language proficiency:
Has improved greatly
c) My independence:
Has increased greatly
d) My self confidence:
Has increased slightly
e) My intellectual development:
Has increased slightly
f) My personal development:
Has increased greatly
g) My ability to make decisions:
Has increased greatly
h) My ability to explore and create opportunities:
Has increased greatly
i) My ability to cope with difficult situations:
Has increased greatly
j) My ability to solve problems:
Has increased greatly
How would you rate the support you received from your department at UCL during your time
abroad?
Good
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
How would you rate the support you received from the UCL Study Abroad Team during your
time abroad?
Satisfactory
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
I felt as if senior members of the team were at times unapproachable and frustrated
with any queries I had which I could not locate on the website. All except Clare Herbert.
She was great.
Are there any other comments you would like to make?