London Direct Enrollment - School of Oriental & African Studies

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Overview

Quick Facts

City:

London [1]

Country:

England [2]

Program credits:

16 per semester

Language(s) of Instruction:

English

Language prerequisites:

None

There is something irresistible about London. Maybe it’s the sights like Big Ben or the Tower Bridge that already feel familiar. Or the international character that is evident in every neighborhood, where people of different cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds live and work together. Whatever it is that has drawn you to London, don’t look back now—London awaits!

This is your chance to live and learn alongside students from the UK and around the world by directly enrolling at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (SOAS).

IES Abroad London is dedicated to enhancing your study abroad experience with superior student services and opportunities to fully experience life in London. Our staff in London will help you make the most of your experience abroad.

London will be your classroom. Involvement in the local community enriches your learning experiences and provides excellent opportunities for cultural integration. Additionally, the IES Abroad London staff can provide you with volunteer opportunities once you are on-site.

We want you to feel at home in London, so we will do everything we can to help you integrate into life in London.

Program Dates

These dates are preliminary and are subject to change. Students should not book flights according to these dates.

Academics

IES Abroad’s mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. That is why we partnered with the School of Oriental and African Studies.

The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
www.soas.ac.uk [3]
As the only institution of higher education in the United Kingdom to specialize in the study of Asia, Africa, and the near and Middle East, SOAS is truly unique. The school was founded in 1916 and today enrolls more than 4,700 students. SOAS fosters an intimate and friendly intellectual community and prides itself on the level of individual contact that students have with their high-caliber instructors.

Courses
SOAS specializes in the history, culture, economics, and environment of Asia, Africa, and the near and Middle East. SOAS also has interdisciplinary offerings across the faculties of Arts & Humanities, Languages & Cultures, and Law & Social Sciences. You register for four units per semester (16 IES Abroad credits).

Specific courses available to study abroad students can be found on SOAS' Course Listings [4] page.

Courses are available in:

Art & Archeology Politics
Economics
History
Languages
Law
Religious Studies

Location
SOAS is located in Bloomsbury, central London, where the concentration of academic institutions reflects the area’s rich intellectual and cultural history. One of those institutions, the British Museum, was founded in 1753 and offers SOAS students easy access to an unparalleled collection of cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout diverse historical periods.

Advising & Support

Even though you’re directly enrolling in one of our partner universities, there’s something IES Abroad wants you to know: we’re here for you if you need us.

Advising
Choosing and directly enrolling in courses abroad can be confusing and overwhelming. This is why we offer you predeparture advising that’s specific to your needs. Our goal is to provide support and guidance throughout your application and enrollment process.

But our advising services don’t stop there. While you’re in London, our staff is available to help you transition into your new home.

Support
The support services we offer IES Abroad direct enrollment students are specifically designed to help you achieve your study abroad goals as effectively and smoothly as possible. We know studying abroad is an adventure, and, at times, you may need help or just someone to talk to—that’s why our staff will be there for you.

On-Site Staff
Whether you have questions about academic requirements, housing, or well-being and safety, our London-based IES Abroad staff is available to fully support you. Because of our close relationship with the universities in London, IES Abroad is also able to offer you unique academic, social, and cultural opportunities. Our staff in London will accompany you throughout orientation, as well as at the IES Abroad field trips and cultural events

Housing

Our job is to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding what landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave London, it will feel like home.

As part of our direct enrollment services, we offer well-located, comfortable housing for all students because securing housing independently can be challenging. IES Abroad’s housing options meet our safety and security standards.

Dinwiddy House - Adjacent to the Vernon Square Campus and a 15-minute walk from the main campus at Russell Square, Dinwiddy House, a SOAS residence hall, offers self-catered accommodation featuring individual bedrooms with en-suite facilities, telephone, and Internet. Six to seven rooms are clustered around a shared kitchen. You can cook for yourself or choose to eat at school or in one of the many cafés or restaurants nearby. A laundry, common room, and game room are also available on-site.

Student Life

Part of making you feel at home in London is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or field trips that take you off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.

Orientation

IES Abroad Orientation
Upon arrival in London, you participate in an introductory orientation with the IES Abroad London staff. Designed specifically for direct enrollment students, the IES Abroad orientation program introduces you to your direct enrollment program, your fellow students, and to London.

Other highlights may include a bus tour of London and other cultural activities. In addition, you will learn about the teaching methods of British professors of your host institution.

University Orientation
You will also attend SOAS’ orientation, where you get acquainted with the logistics of student life.

Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events

Redefine the way you live and learn in London through our cultural events, such as:

Touring Parliament, royal palaces, and gardens
Attending local sporting events, such as the English Premier League
Outings to London’s diverse markets

University Clubs & Events
The lively SOAS student union sponsors a number of clubs and societies that offers something foreveryone. The union also hosts social events and provides services for all students. Visit SOAS’ website for up-to-date information on societies, sports, events, and other union services at www.soasunion.org [5].

Field Trips

Although your adventure begins in London, our field trips take you to other great cities in England to provide contrast and context for what you are learning in London. You share a portion of the cost with IES Abroad. Past destinations are listed below.

OVERNIGHT TRIPS
Stongehenge, Bath, and Salisbury
2 Days
Visit mysterious Stonehenge, the ancient Roman baths in Bath, and the Salisbury Cathedral, one of the finest examples of the early English Gothic architecture style in Britain.

Yorkshire
2 Days
Explore the north of England, including a night in the historic town of York. Other sites of interest include stunning national parks, the Bronte Parsonage, Castle Howard, and Fountains Abbey.

DAY TRIPS
Brighton
1 Day
Explore the historic maze of twisting alleyways and enjoy an optional visit to the royal pavilion, one of Europe’s most exotic royal palaces.

East Sussex
1 Day
Enjoy a locally-sourced lunch at a working farm or country pub, and visit the country meeting place for the group of artists and intellectuals known as the Bloomsbury Group.

Stratford and Kenilworth
1 Day
Visit Shakespeare’s house, place of birth, Hall’s Croft, and place of his burial, Holy Trinity Church.

Oxford
1 Day
Visit historic Christ Church College and take a walking tour for a look at works by a famous group of 19th-century artists.

Cambridge
1 Day
See the beautiful university town of Cambridge, situated north of London. Explore the different colleges and visit the world famous King’s College.

Center

IES Abroad London [6]

The IES Abroad London Center, situated in the central London neighborhood of Bloomsbury, is a two-minute walk from the British Museum.

Features include:

18th century Georgian building
Classrooms
Library resources
Wireless Internet
Printing facilities
Outdoor patio
Staff offices
Student lounge

Center staff:

John Ockey
IES Abroad Director
John brings over 12 years of experience with IES Abroad, including seven years with IES Abroad Milan and nearly three years with IES Abroad Siena before coming to IES Abroad London. During his time in Siena, John developed and implemented a banner program with a strong focus on cultural immersion and academic rigor. In Milan, he played a key role in improving and developing the Milan program, notably in the areas of student housing, student activities, orientation, and supervision of the student services staff. Prior to working for IES Abroad, John received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Italian Literature and Art History from Brigham Young University and worked in Geneva for the United Nations.

IES Abroad Staff
Diane Atkinson
Academic Advisor

Vanessza Kaloczy
Student Affairs Coordinator

Elaine Staunton
Assistant Director

Alice Coltofeanu
Academic Programmes Manager

Martin Hannan
Accounts Administrator

Zosia Rutkowska
Senior Programme Coordinator

Beth Lehlbach
Internship Liaison Officer

Faculty
Diane Atkinson,
Cultural History
Doctor of Philosophy
Writer and Curator

Jennifer Bailey,
Theater Studies
Doctor of Philosophy
Head, Extramural Studies and Continuing Education, City University

Caroline Beery,
International Business
BA in History
Founding Partner, Coghill and Beery International, Lecturer and Consultant

Marina Caldarone,
Drama Studies
BA in English
Playwright and Producer

Julie Charalambides,
English Literature
Master of Arts
Writer and Editor, Blackstone Press Limited

Mary Condé,
Literature
Doctor of Philosophy
Lecturer, Queen Mary

Kate Domaille
Media Education
MA in Film & Media Studies in Education

Michael Drolet,
History and Political Science
Doctor of Philosophy
Lecturer, Royal Holloway College, University of London

Colin Ellwood
Director of the Theatre Directing Program at Rose Bruford College

Yolanda Eraso
History of Medicine
PhD in the History of Medicine

Lucinda Hawksley
Author, Curator, Spearker

Andrey Jichev,
Business and EU Issues
MBA
Management Consultant and Lecturer

Maria Jicheva
Management and International Business
MA and BA degrees from the University of Sofia, Bulgaria
MBA from The American International University in London
Intercultural Communication and Management Specialist

Rajiv Maluste
Economist
PhD, MPP, MBA

Andy Pankhurst,
Fine Arts
HDFA, Fine Arts
Slade School of Fine Art, University College London

Cinzia Pezzolesi
Pyschology
PhD

Dianna Pierce
Televiesion, News, Journalism, Politics, Public Relations
BA

Alan Powers
Art History
PhD

Julian Putkowski,
British Studies, History
BA, Senior Lecturer, Historian and Broadcaster
Kings College, University of London

Naomi Seekings
Art Education, Video Production

Alejandro Martin Sposato
Cross Cultural Organizational Behaviour
Lecturer
PhD Candidate

Sylvia Tijmstra
Human Geography, Political Science
PhD

Suzanne Waters
History of Art and Architecture
Teaches at Birkbeck College, University of London
Teaches Modern Art and Architecture at the University of Westminster
Heritage Consultant

Richard Weight
Cultural and Ethnic Studies
Doctor of Philosophy, Author and Historical Consultant
Lecturer, University of East London/Kings College London

Marianne Williamson
English Literature, Education

Cost