Department
Where did you spend your first semester
Civil & Environmental Engineering
abroad?
Degree Programme (e.g. BA French and
United States of America
Russian)
Type of Placement
MEng Environmental Engineering
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)?
Good
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
How would you rate your preparation by the Study Abroad Team?
Good
Please give details/feedback and suggest any improvements:
Give more reminders about paperwork!
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?
Very Good
Could you have done more to prepare yourself before leaving UCL? If so, please give
details:
Making sure I knew what paperwork needed doing - forgot to do confirmation of
arrival form until a couple months after arrival!
Could you have been better prepared by UCL? If so, please give details:
UCL did a very good job preparing me
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
- Consult the resources in Moodle or on the Study Abroad website
- 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?
Insurance refunds
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?
Made sure I selected the right courses
What advice would you offer to students prior to making a decision about where to study
abroad?
What they are aiming to gain from a study abroad experience.
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?
Just to make sure that they have all the paperwork sorted. I was lucky I did not need a
visa for the US because I am a duel citizen, but sorting paperwork is the most
frustrating thing and it is best just to do it as soon as possible and keep an organised list
of what needs doing.
Your Placement - University
Name of your host university:
Syracuse University
Location (city and country):
Syracuse, NY, USA
Was your university placement part of an ERASMUS or other exchange programme?
Yes
When did you receive confirmation of acceptance from the host university?
February 2012
When did your placement start?
August 2012
How did you get to your placement? Please give rough details of the journey and costs:
Flew to New York City with mother, spent 3 days there sightseeing, then hired a car to
drive up to Syracuse, about 4.5 hour drive. Flight booked through STA travel was about
£550, Heathrow to JFK.
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?
There was an international student orientation program prior to the official start of the
semester that all international students, including study abroad students, were required
to attend.
Were any special orientation events/meetings provided for study abroad students? If so,
please give details.
Yes. Multiple sessions on American culture, Syracuse lifestyle and being an
international student.
Is there any advice you would give to future students ahead of enrolling at this university?
Be confident in approaching people if unsure about anything. Everyone is willing to
help but you just have to ask
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:
On line system called myslice. Student helpers were there to assist new students using
myslice. Any problems enrolling are easily solved by speaking to the study abroad
coordinator or the professor taking the class. The only problem I encountered was my
status was set as a freshman which meant I was last to 'choose' classes, which meant
that some classes were full when I tried to enroll because upperclassmen get priority on
choosing classes, despite me actually being considered an upperclassmen. However, I
was able to solve the problems and get into the classes I wanted by speaking to the right
people.
Was obtaining information about courses and timetables difficult or simple?
Average
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:
- Departmental Coordinator
- Individual Tutors
Please give names of helpful individuals if possible:
Chris Johnson, Maria Marceau, Jane Read, David Chandler, Rouzbeh Berton, Doug
Call
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):
course registration and academic advising from Johnson and Marceau. Class and
homework help from the other professors.
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:
5-6 classes, about 17 hours contact time (depending on credits taken). Every class had
homework every week which would take 2-3 hours, in addition to reading and lab
reports (3-4 labs per semester in 3 classes. Lab report would take 5-8 hours to complete)
Please describe the nature of the classes (i.e. large lectures, smaller seminar groups etc.) What
was the average lecture/class size?
Each class was different. Engineering classes typically had 50-70 people in.
Environmental classes had 20-30 people and GIS class had just 6!
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.)?
Homework every week, usually consisted 10-20% of grade. Midterm and Final for each
class would usually be equal weighting and some classes had quizzes and semester
projects which contributed significantly.
Please comment on the availability and approachability of teaching staff at your host
university:
They were fantastic on a whole. Each professor and teaching assistant would have office
hours 2 times a week and would always respond promptly to emails.
How would you rate the teaching at your host university:
Very good
How would you rate the selection of courses offered:
Very good
How would you rate the intellectual level of the material covered:
Very good
How would you rate the difficulty of the courses at your host university compared to UCL:
The same as UCL
Please give details:
I found classes here were not more difficult than UCL, but it was easier to achieve a
good grade. This is because regular homework and breakdown of midterm and final
exams made the content much more manageable, and classes at the same time every
week rather than random classes in October with an exam in May which is what
happens at UCL.
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:
actually lost points in an essay for spelling things the English way as opposed to the
American way!
Facilities
Library provision:
Fantastic
Access to computers, internet etc.:
Fantastic, much better than UCL
Clubs and societies (type, range, and cost):
The opening week the quad at Syracuse was full of clubs and societies with information
on each. I joined the Rugby club, the cost was $30 per semester. Other clubs that I
didn't have time for were great value such as the outdoors club $15 for the whole year
which included multiple outdoor trips each week.
Sporting facilities (type, range, and cost):
Superb. Free Gym for students, access to tennis courts, swimming pool, squash.
Other:
Summary
Why did you choose to spend your year abroad at this university in particular?
Wanted to get out of the city (London) and experience an american college campus
university with an elite athletics program that I could get behind and support, whilst
also being in the North East of the USA with proximity to New York City. Also the Env
Engineering course choices was very appealing
Are you glad that you did so?
Yes
Would you recommend this university to future UCL students?
Yes
Please explain why:
I had the most fantastic year at Syracuse and have met life long friends, and the perfect
study abroad experience is one where you do not want to leave. I found the teaching and
learning at this institute to be much better than what I have experienced at UCL and
subsequently I have achieved very good grades. The lifestyle in Syracuse was just
fantastic, and despite the endless cold winter it was amazing. I would recommend this
university to people that are outgoing and hard working. Any person that comes here
must be willing to put themselves out there to make friends.
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?
The basketball season is fantastic, put yourself out there and don't be afraid to talk to
anyone to make friends, everyone loves a british person!
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:
Study abroad coordinator sent an email with housing options after I received
confirmation of my place at Syracuse. I then filled out a housing sheet and mailed it
with the deposit. Confirmation came through just after the end of the UCL year in
June.
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:
about $4000 for the semester. Included internet through the university, and utilities.
Opted to have a 'meal plan'. Various options for different prices mine was about $2000
and included 10 meals a week in the campus dining centres. Food was fantastic though.
How early could you move in?
Moved in 4 days before International Orientation. Could be earlier if requested.
Did you have to vacate the premises during the holidays?
No
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?
Apt on 'South Campus' which was 10 minute bus ride to campus. Bus was free and ran
regularly and late at night (till after the bars closed!). Had a single room in apt shared
with one other person. Included one bathroom and a kitchen/living room on the ground
floor. Very spacious. Washing was done in the student centre for $1.50 a wash and $1.25
to dry. No kitchen utensils were provided though, had to purchase / borrow. Get's very
hot in summer recommend purchasing a fan!
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?
Lived with a local student. South campus is not the best place to interact with other
students because each apartment is separate, not the corridor vibe of halls/dorms.
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?
On campus housing is significantly more expensive than off campus housing. I would
recommend where I lived because it was very comfortable and it was reassuring
knowing it was run by the university, and any problems were quickly solved by
maintenance. It is difficult to live without a car so a meal plan I think is the best
approach for food. One thing I know now that I did not know before is that there are
always people looking for another house mate in off campus housing, best advice is to
join facebook groups and look on the orange housing website. That could be a good way
to meet new friends and get significantly cheaper accommodation.
Finance
How much money did you need on arrival (e.g. for housing deposits, rent and other start-up
costs)?
$500
1. Cost of Living
Rent (per month):
$600-$1000
Bills (electricity, gas, water, internet, phone etc.):
$0, cell phone $50 a month
Books (overall amount spent on books during your stay):
$600
Food (weekly):
$120
A (simple) meal (in a cafe or restaurant):
$8-20
A coffee (in a cafe or bar):
$2-4
A beer (in a cafe or bar):
$2.50
A cinema ticket:
$10
Local travel (weekly):
$0
Entertainment (weekly):
$50
Any other regular costs:
In total, how much did you spend per month on average?
$500
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?
Almost everything is cheaper in Syracuse. The exception would be cell phone plans and
supermarkets don't offer a super cheap value range, but food is generally cheaper. Beer
is significantly cheaper!!
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:
A lot of students work, but generally engineering students don't. I did not work because
cost of living is so much cheaper than I expected.
Does your host institution help with finding part-time work?
No, but I believe they would if asked
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?
Yes, however I am a duel citizen with a social security number so I imagine it would be
more difficult for a non citizen.
Which bank did you open an account with?
Chase
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?
Student account. Chase is plentiful in the big cities in the USA but only one ATM close
to campus. Other ATMs from other banks will charge a fee.
Would you recommend opening a local bank account? If so, which bank(s) or account(s)
would you recommend?
Yes, Chase.
General
1. Social Factors (Opportunities and Ease of Meeting People)
How much interaction did you have with local students?
A lot. All of the friends I made were local students.
How much interaction did you have with other international students?
A little. There were some other English people I met at the start of the year but I did not
remain friends with them.
In your experience, what were the best ways of meeting people?
I joined the Rugby team which was great to meet people, and I talked to people I sat
next to in class. The best friend I made was someone who I randomly sat next to in my
first class. Also met a lot of people at 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?
Phones are quite expensive. I got a cheap flip phone that still cost me $50 a month. The
network I used was Verizon which is regarded as the best for coverage but also is more
expensive.
Transport
Was local transport good or bad? Please give details of local transport you used:
Bus to campus was free and frequent, very good. There was a bus to downtown that was
free and also a bus on Friday nights to the mall that was free.
What was the cost of local transport? Are there any special deals or discounts for students?
Free buses around campus. Taxis were relatively cheap.
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 a lot. Used megabus a lot which is the cheapest way to travel and stayed
at hostels in the big cities which is cheap usually $25-50 a night depending on city.
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 loved every minute. It is great to get involved in a sport such as Rugby, and also to get
involved in the college pride and school spirit. I went to every home American Football
and Basketball game, which are all great events attended by 30,000+ people every week.
Is there any advice you would give to someone preparing to live in your host city/country?
Get involved in as much as you can! Make friends with the locals not just other study
abroad students. Those are the people who know what's happening!
Did you experience any problems/difficulties while living in your host city which you would
like to share with the Study Abroad Team?
Study Abroad - Summary
Did you find your year abroad rewarding academically?
Yes
Please give reasons for your answer:
Learnt effectively and achieved good grades
Did you find your year abroad rewarding in non-academic respects?
Yes
Please give reasons for your answer:
Made life long friends and cannot wait to return to Syracuse to visit. Had more fun than
I could possibly have imagined an Living in the states for a year had made me want to
live in the states after I finish at UCL.
How would you rate your year abroad experience overall?
Very good
Please give reasons for your answer:
For the people I met and the things I experienced
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:
Has increased greatly
f) My personal development:
Has increased greatly
g) My ability to make decisions:
Has increased slightly
h) My ability to explore and create opportunities:
Has increased slightly
i) My ability to cope with difficult situations:
Has increased slightly
j) My ability to solve problems:
Has increased slightly
How would you rate the support you received from your department at UCL during your time
abroad?
Satisfactory
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?