Department
Where did you spend your first semester
Physics & Astronomy
abroad?
Degree Programme (e.g. BA French and
United States of America
Russian)
Type of Placement
MSci
University Placement
Year in which abroad
Where did you spend your second
2012/13
semester abroad?
Same place as the first semester
Before Departure
How would you rate your preparation by your department(s)?
Very Good
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
How would you rate your preparation by the Study Abroad Team?
Very Good
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
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:
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:
More research into accommodation options
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
- Discuss your options with your Study Abroad Tutor
- Contact final year students who had returned from their year abroad
- Consult previous students' study abroad questionnaires
- 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?
Prior to departure, were you given clear instructions by your department on what was
expected of you academically during your year abroad?
Yes
How did you prepare yourself for the academic aspect of your year abroad programme?
The way I had prepared academically at UCL.
What advice would you offer to students prior to making a decision about where to study
abroad?
Do your research on the countries and universities. Look at student forums to get a gist
of the student lifestyle.
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?
Get involved at the university you go to. Be social, join clubs and societies etc
Your Placement - University
Name of your host university:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Location (city and country):
Troy, USA
Was your university placement part of an ERASMUS or other exchange programme?
No
When did you receive confirmation of acceptance from the host university?
When did your placement start?
Late August
How did you get to your placement? Please give rough details of the journey and costs:
I flew to Newark airport and took an Amtrak train to Albany Station. I then took a taxi
cab to the university.
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?
When you arrive there are days allocated for enrollment where you fill out various
forms with other exchange students
Were any special orientation events/meetings provided for study abroad students? If so,
please give details.
Yes, the main event for an introduction meal at a local church, there were also
introductory lectures.
Is there any advice you would give to future students ahead of enrolling at this university?
I would advice going to all introductory events because that is how I met other exchange
students who I remained friends with throughout my time abroad.
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:
At RPI I could choose all my modules, so it was a bit different to UCL where I was
automatically signed up to classes. There is a Moodle style page where you can search
and enroll into classes.
Was obtaining information about courses and timetables difficult or simple?
Simple
If difficult, what advice would you offer on how to obtain the information?
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:
Jane Havis
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):
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 16 credits in first semester and 15 credits in second semester. This was 4 classes
each semester. I had regular homework for all my classes so spent the majority of my
weekdays studying. I had free time most weekends.
Please describe the nature of the classes (i.e. large lectures, smaller seminar groups etc.) What
was the average lecture/class size?
My senior classes were very small (Around 10-15 people) but my junior classes were
larger (30-50 people)
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.)?
In all my classes (except for one lab module which was 100% coursework) I had 2-3
midterms, regular homework and 1 final at the end of semester.
Please comment on the availability and approachability of teaching staff at your host
university:
All the teaching staff were available to help and most were pretty friendly.
How would you rate the teaching at your host university:
Average
How would you rate the selection of courses offered:
Average
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:
The classes were taught at the same level as UCL. The exams were slightly easier but
you only had a 1-2 days to study for each one.
If you attended a university where the language of instruction was not English, did you
experience any language difficulties?
No
Did your tutors make allowances for your not being a native speaker?
No
If yes, please give details:
Facilities
Library provision:
There is one big library on campus which was never really full
Access to computers, internet etc.:
There was a small computer room in the library but otherwise you need your laptop
Clubs and societies (type, range, and cost):
There was a large range of societies but I did not have time to participate as I travelled
frequently
Sporting facilities (type, range, and cost):
I used the gym which was quite nice and free
Other:
Summary
Why did you choose to spend your year abroad at this university in particular?
I was allocated this university
Are you glad that you did so?
Yes
Would you recommend this university to future UCL students?
Yes
Please explain why:
I worked very hard but I met alot of amazing people and it was in a convenient location
for travel.
How would you rate the placement overall?
Very good
How would you rate the placement within the context of your degree programme?
Good
Is there any specific advice you would offer to students considering a placement at this
university?
You will have to be prepared to work hard and consistently. However there will still be
plenty of time to travel and socialize.
Accommodation
What type of accommodation did you obtain?
Accommodation provided by your host institution
How did you obtain your accommodation? Please describe the application process, when you
applied, and when you received confirmation:
I applied using a paper form much like at UCL. I received confirmation promptly.
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:
I paid about 8000 dollars for the whole year. Bills and internet were included.
How early could you move in?
I moved in a few days before classes started.
Did you have to vacate the premises during the holidays?
Yes
How would you rate the accommodation provided?
Good
Please describe the type of accommodation you stayed in, its location and level of comfort.
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 had an ensuite bathroom so that was great, but I lived in a single room all year which
was a bit claustrophobic. There was a kitchen on each floor which was big but I
provided all my own utensils.
Did you live with local students, or with other foreign students? Were the halls a good place
to practice your language skills and interact with local students?
I lived with local students. It was difficult to interact with students in halls.
Would you recommend this accommodation to future students?
Yes
Is there any other advice you would like to share with future students looking for
accommodation in your host town/city?
Try and get off campus accommodation. It is much cheaper and host students are
usually pretty nice and help you settle in.
Finance
How much money did you need on arrival (e.g. for housing deposits, rent and other start-up
costs)?
1. Cost of Living
Rent (per month):
1000
Bills (electricity, gas, water, internet, phone etc.):
0
Books (overall amount spent on books during your stay):
400
Food (weekly):
50
A (simple) meal (in a cafe or restaurant):
10
A coffee (in a cafe or bar):
3
A beer (in a cafe or bar):
3
A cinema ticket:
15
Local travel (weekly):
0
Entertainment (weekly):
30
Any other regular costs:
In total, how much did you spend per month on average?
1500
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?
Everything is cheaper, as long as you don't buy it on campus.
2. Working
Is supplementing your income through part-time work a viable option?
No
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:
Does your host institution help with finding part-time work?
3. Banking
Did you open a bank account in your host country?
Yes
If yes, was it easy to open an account? Please describe the process and what documents were
needed. Did you have to make a minimum deposit to open the account?
I just went to the branch and they walked me through it.
Which bank did you open an account with?
Sefcu
What type of account did you open? Were there any charges, and was it easy to withdraw
money within your host country using this account?
Current account. No charges and easy to withdraw money.
Would you recommend opening a local bank account? If so, which bank(s) or account(s)
would you recommend?
Yes, I used Sefcu because there was a branch on campus and near my halls.
General
1. Social Factors (Opportunities and Ease of Meeting People)
How much interaction did you have with local students?
I spent most of my second semester with local students and met with them on a regular
basis.
How much interaction did you have with other international students?
I spend most of my first semester with other international students.
In your experience, what were the best ways of meeting people?
Make friends with the people you live with and they will introduce you to their friends.
It is also possible to meet people at parties and in the local bars.
If you were studying in a country where the local language is not English, how often did you
speak the local language?
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?
I got a Virgin phone and paid $35/month for unlimited texts, unlimited data and 350
minutes.
Transport
Was local transport good or bad? Please give details of local transport you used:
Pretty bad, there are only buses.
What was the cost of local transport? Are there any special deals or discounts for students?
Buses are free for RPI students
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?
I traveled extensively throughout the USA. The East coast was particularly accessible
by car or bus.
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:
I went out 2/3 times every week. The union pub is pretty nice and chilled and there are
restaurants and bars downtown.
Is there any advice you would give to someone preparing to live in your host city/country?
Did you experience any problems/difficulties while living in your host city which you would
like to share with the Study Abroad Team?
It is difficult to get around and not that safe at night. It was therefore difficult to go out
sometimes because I always wanted someone with me.
Study Abroad - Summary
Did you find your year abroad rewarding academically?
No
Please give reasons for your answer:
I feel that I had so much work I was unable to really learn the syllabus.
Did you find your year abroad rewarding in non-academic respects?
Yes
Please give reasons for your answer:
I made some amazing friends, saw alot of the USA and just had a great new experience.
How would you rate your year abroad experience overall?
Very good
Please give reasons for your answer:
Despite the work I had alot of fun.
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:
Is the same
c) My independence:
Has increased greatly
d) My self confidence:
Has increased greatly
e) My intellectual development:
Is the same
f) My personal development:
Has increased slightly
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:
Are there any other comments you would like to make?