Letter to Future UCL Exchange Students

Dear future University College London (UCL) exchange students,

Congratulations on your acceptance to University College London!

You are about to embark on an exciting time in your life at one of the highly ranked universities, located in one of the best cities in the world! Whether you come from a small rural town or a big city, you will find yourself at home in London in no time. There is so much to explore and learn in this bustling city, and a semester abroad might not even feel enough to accomplish everything you want to do here.

First things first, studying abroad as an exchange student is a different academic experience from regular study abroad. Thankfully, you will receive both IES Abroad and UCL support throughout your time here to help with the transition. UCL is a highly ranked institution in the world, which means academics are taken very seriously. Most of the learning is self-directed, which can mean doing a lot of reading (especially as a Politics and International Relations student). It is easy to fall behind if you miss a week’s worth of reading or do not attend a lecture and/or seminar. In one of my earlier blog posts, I mentioned that the class grading system was a big culture shock to me, and I meant it: In one of my classes, one 2,000 word essay will determine my final grade. No, not even attendance or participation will count toward my final grade. Just one essay! This means that I had to keep up with the readings from the very beginning. Assessment criteria depend on the module, of course, but I warn you that it is crucial to take your academics seriously at UCL. It is a prestigious institution for a reason!

Beyond academics, UCL has a lot of great things to offer. Located in central London, it feels like London is your campus! During your first few weeks, I advise you to walk around Bloomsbury and check out different UCL buildings, museums, and libraries. UCL has 17 libraries, so find time to visit all of them and choose your favorite study spot. UCL also has the UCL East Campus in Stratford. It is UCL’s newest and second campus, and it has a different atmosphere from the Bloomsbury campus. Don’t forget to visit the UCL School of Management in Canary Wharf for the most stunning views of London!

As a city school, UCL might feel uninviting and isolating. Do not worry: UCL is also home to many different societies (the British version of clubs and organizations). Whether you are looking for something academic or sporty, UCL has the society for you. I personally didn’t join a society during my time abroad, but I have a close friend who joined the rugby team. She always talked about how at home she felt in her rugby team and how she met the most amazing people! If joining a society sounds intimidating, remember that you have hall events in your accommodation that will help you meet other exchange and first-year students! Your accommodation team makes it a priority to help you find your community in your accommodation, so I encourage you to go to one event. You might meet your best friends there, just like I did!

Now that academics and university life are out of the way, it’s time to talk about the exciting part. The City of London! London is home to thirty-two boroughs (plus the City of London), and each borough has its own unique charm. If you have never been to London before, I definitely recommend visiting the tourist attractions such as Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Notting Hill, and many more. However, if you have been to London before, I implore you to visit other boroughs and attractions. London is more than just Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Go visit Camden Town, Kew Gardens, and Hampstead Heath. Walk around the city and get lost for a few hours! Live like a London local. I promise you, time will fly by so fast, and you might find yourself regretting not exploring London as much as you would have. I sure feel that as I write this letter!

Traveling is a natural part of studying abroad. In one of my blogs, I mentioned that I traveled to 15 countries (including England) during my time abroad. This means that I did not get to spend as much time living in London. I was gone every weekend, and my friends would guess which country I would visit the following weekend. (It was quite hilarious.) Coming into study abroad, I knew that I wanted to travel in Europe as much as I could. That’s why I made the decision to travel every weekend for three months. Was it worth it? Of course, I wouldn’t trade the memories and souvenirs I collected from my travels for anything! I also couldn’t stop myself from booking those cheap Ryanair and Wizzair flights! However, I have to warn you that constant traveling will exhaust you. I remember texting my UCL friends that I couldn’t wait to be back home in London and dreading my next train ride to Heathrow for my next European country. It was difficult to find the right balance between living in London and exploring Europe. Before you come to London, I highly recommend planning your trips ahead of time and deciding how much you want to travel during your semester abroad.

As I end this blog entry and sign off as an IES Abroad correspondent, I wish you the best time during your exchange semester (or year) at UCL. Studying abroad as a college senior was a daunting move since I didn’t want to miss out on my last fall semester in university. However, when I hopped on that plane from London to New York, I realized that I had no regrets studying abroad as a senior in London. The memories, the friendships I made, and all the amazing cuisines I ate? I would not trade those for anything in the world.

Cheers,
Pauline