Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Ecology in one of the most beautiful landscapes. Past Review

By (University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 05/28/2012 to 06/22/2012 with

Adelante: Edinburgh - Ecological Conservation Summer Program in Scotland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about the vast kinds of habitats that can develop, what affects them, and how we can make an impact. I also learned this from the viewpoint of a country that is much different from my own.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was really nice. Very comfortable.

* Food:

The food was pretty good. Some variety rather than the same sandwiches would have been better but other than that, all was good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

After several visits, we got a good sense of the culture here.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Health wasn't too much of an issue.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The conversion rate and price was kind of taxing on my budget but I tried my best to live as cheaply as possible.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around £30-£60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring some snack food like peanut butter or oatmeal (from the U.S. so it's cheaper) since you will probably get hungry after supper at 5.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I really loved the cultural visits (to castles, Neo-Lithic sites, etc.). Learning about Scotland is really cool.
  • Seeing what the landscape had to offer was the best. Scotland is a beautiful country and seeing various areas throughout a large portion of the country was gorgeous.
* What could be improved?
  • Internet access on campus. The college has a firewall with their internet that blocks lots of sites (even my university email account which is frustrating). Better and easier access would make things a lot smoother.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I would need good hiking boots and water-proof clothes. Scotland is a very wet country.