Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Awesome program in an amazing setting. Past Review

By (Biological Engineering, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 06/23/2012 to 06/29/2012 with

Adelante: Edinburgh - Ecological Conservation Summer Program in Scotland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
There are many factors to consider when trying to manage ecological resources. There are also many tools/methods to employ when carrying this out. One must think of all the repercussions of their actions and what could be the future of a site. Overall, the experience was worthwhile and enlightening.

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.

I think the program could have required a bit more out of us. I like a bit more of a challenge, but the material was still really good.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Scottish people are too nice to do anything harmful to you. Unless you steal their whiskey or something.

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)

Money was tight because there was so much we wanted to go do and experience. There was also the fact that the currency was the pound, which has an exchange rate that is the equivalent of a throat punch to the wallet.

* 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 $50-100.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat cheap if possible, walk everywhere if possible, remember that the money you're spending carries more weight than normal dollars.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The beautiful landscape. Scotland is absolutely gorgeous.
  • The culture. Scottish people are hilarious, have great accents and colloquialisms, and are very kind.
  • Learning the methods Scottish ecological conservationists have developed and put to use in their environment.
* What could be improved?
  • Make the end project for habitat management more engaging than just a phase one habitat survey. The habitat survey was interesting and a good experience but I would have liked to really implement something or go through the process of implementing something designed to help with habitat management.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Scotland has a lot of rain. A lot.