IFSA University College London Partnership

I studied abroad with IFSA at UCL during the Fall 2019 semester. Not only did I make friends that I'll have for the rest of my life through IFSA's program, I also experienced academic growth sand development that was so formative that I decided I want to return to London for a masters degree. IFSA organized a trip to the Lake District, where I got to learn more about the vikig history in the UK and went on hikes and climbs. IFSA took care of everything. IFSA staff was also super receptive when I needed help registering for classes and when I had questions about access to medical care. The staff was so fun and kind and I felt supported the whole semester. I'm so grateful for my time at UCL and with IFSA, and my greatest piece of advice for perspective students is to apply!!

Studying abroad through IFSA- University College London (UCL) was one of the best decisions I made. IFSA smoothed out all the logistics of studying abroad, and UCL provided me with an excellent education. I always wanted to study abroad in London because it’s one of the world’s most prominent financial hubs. This has ought to be one of the most seamless and best experiences that I’ve had thus far in my life!

For many years, it was a dream of mine to spend a semester abroad in London. In my junior year of college, I was finally able to make that dream a reality, and I had the best time of my life. Looking through a list of approved programs offered by my school, Colgate University, I found a number of options for studying in London through the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA). Even from that initial moment of interest, IFSA was very helpful by offering clear, specific information on their programs. I ended up choosing the program at University College London (UCL), and was beyond eager for my semester to start. The advisors at IFSA were extremely eager to help in any way they could. I often reached out to email my program advisor with questions of different kinds - about credits transferring over, about switching from the department that I had initially applied and been accepted to in order to be in the Arts and Sciences department at UCL, questions about housing and visas - you name it, I asked it! My advisor was always so willing to answer my questions and left me feeling really supported. This support was extended along every step of the program, especially when we arrived in London. Immediately, the IFSA staff in London made me, and all students on the program, feel very welcomed. I really appreciated that they made themselves so accessible to us for anything we needed. I went to coffee chats to ask questions and discuss how my program was going so far, went to the IFSA headquarters in London multiple times to express my goals for the semester and how it was coming along, and connected with the staff on the programming that IFSA offered students. There were so many opportunities to connect with the staff and students alike on the program, and one of my favorite events was the trip to The Shard at the end of the semester, the tallest building in the UK, where we all gathered and reminisced on the program while enjoying the beautiful views. I made friends with my flatmates who were also doing the IFSA program at UCL, and we often went out together on day trips or explored the city together. Just as much as I enjoyed my experience with IFSA staff and the support I received, I also really appreciated my time at UCL, London's global university. The students and faculty at UCL were so diverse, which really allowed me to gain different perspectives within the classroom. As part of the Arts and Sciences department, I took classes called Sustainable Energy, and Race, Gender and Feminism. The other two classes I took were in different departments: Understanding Social Policy, and Democracy and Authoritarianism. These classes were really intriguing and I appreciated the multidisciplinary approaches to the classes, as well as the breadth of knowledge I was able to gain from taking these diverse courses. Though in a lot of ways UCL was very different from my home university, I came to really enjoy UCL and its large campus. I still felt very supported by staff - I had an advisor who was very helpful during the course registration period - and by the Professors and teaching assistants who held office hours and made themselves available for any questions I had. It was really beneficial for me to get to know the different students of various backgrounds, hear different perspectives, and broaden my world view, and this really helped transform me into a global citizen. There were always so many events and programming happening on campus, and so many different clubs, societies, and organizations to get involved in. Overall, my time spent studying abroad in London at UCL through IFSA's program is something I will cherish forever and look back on fondly. I was able to immerse myself in a foreign culture, explore new places I once only dreamed about visiting, and learn so many new things, both about the world and myself. I strongly believe that studying abroad has allowed me to grow into a more independent, well-versed, flexible, and open-minded student and person. I find that I am now more comfortable in new situations and places, I am able to adapt more easily to new settings, and I have an expanded world-view based on being in a foreign, highly diverse setting. I highly recommend taking the opportunity to study abroad in London, and especially through one of IFSA's programs. They will provide you with the support you need, help foster a sense of community, and help you really explore what the city, and country, has to offer through various planned trips and activities! All of these things will allow you to make the most out of your time abroad and really immerse yourself in that setting.