Scotland is the most beautiful country I have ever been to! August 24, 2022
By A student (Marketing, University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/12/2022 to 05/28/2022 with
API (Academic Programs International): Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh
I don't think I could sum up the things you gain from going abroad, but I certainly feel like I came back a lot more confident. There is nothing like knowing you can navigate back to your air bnb from a beach an hour away in Italy when you don't speak the language. This experience is absolutely worthwhile, and I loved Edinburgh so much that I would consider living there in the future!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The University of Edinburgh is well structured and run, but be prepared for it to be very different from the US education system. There are very few assignments that count for large percentages of your grade (can expect maybe one or two assignments to make up your whole grade), and the grading scale there can be a lot harsher than here. The University of Edinburgh has a highly competitive academic environment (think Ivy League schools here), so you can expect courses to be somewhat rigorous. If you are willing to put work in outside of class you will be fine, but I recommend taking first-year classes regardless of what year you are in order to get used to how classes are run there! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My on-site administrator for my program was absolutely fantastic. I don't think there are enough good things to say about Michelle. She went above and beyond the scope of her job, helped us with any issues we encountered, and came with us to all of our excursions. Some of the other programs I saw didn't seem to have many excursions, but we were given the chance to go on at least once a week, including a weekend trip to the beautiful Isle of Skye. I had a wonderful time working with API, and Michelle did a wonderful job for them on-site! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was great and I lived with other people in the program. It is in a fantastic area where everything is walkable. Right outside the flat is a park where they hold multiple events, and it is nice to sit and barbeque there on a nice day! I only deduct half a star because we had a mouse problem, but as I heard a few times, mice are just pets in Edinburgh! The laundry situation also wasn't ideal, but totally doable. |
| * Food: |
Food is going to depend on your personal preferences as there is no meal plan, so what you eat depends on what you buy. I found the grocery stores were well stocked, and they always had fantastic snack options. Also, because Edinburgh is a city, you can find a restaurant that sells almost any type of cuisine that you could want. Anything can be delivered, and most places are within walking distance. Just don't be shocked if your food is delivered by someone on a bike instead of a car, they are a very eco-friendly environment (and gas is expensive!) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since it is an English speaking country, you can immerse yourself in the culture as much as you choose. The housing is university housing, but the minute you walk out the door you are just in the city. There are many places to explore and events to go to in order to further immerse yourself. The people there are generally extremely kind and friendly, and Edinburgh accents are pretty easy for Americans to understand. If you want to be integrated into the culture you certainly can be, the degree of your immersion mainly depends on how much you want to be immersed. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health care is free and easily accessible. I never had to use it for anything, but others in the program did, and they hardly had to pay for anything. Due to this, however, expect longer waiting times in doctors' offices. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe walking around Edinburgh, even if I was walking by myself. Like any other place, just be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are going out at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
API made sure we were immersed in Scottish culture, were taken care of, and formed meaningful relationships during our time there. They were always an available resource, and hearing from friends in other programs, they went above and beyond the program norms. |
Finances
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* 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) |
Once your initial expenses are taken care of, my biggest additional costs were personal travel. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably around $100, but less if I did not go out and explore that week. There are many free places to go too if you are tight on money as many of the museums are free of charge. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure to budget out your grocery budget, especially if you have never grocery shopped for yourself before. It may be tempting to buy and try all the British snacks, but remember you are there for a while and there will be plenty of time. Also, although you may want to eat out at all the amazing restaurants near your housing (and you will have MANY options), try to stick to going out meals as social occasions. You and your friends will have a blast going out for dinner or lunch, so instead of ordering Deliveroo, try to cook your own meals when it is just you for dinner. Also, if you are new to drinking because of the drinking age, don't get too carried away, alcohol is expensive. The busses are cheap, but as long as you are under 22, apply for a young scots card to be sent to your flat before you arrive. This allows for almost all bussing to be free, barring a few of the night/overnight busses. This card can even get you on a bus to and from the airport for free. When doing solo travel, staying in hostels can save you a ton of money, and flying Ryan Air or EasyJet (although bumpy) is usually a really cheap way to get around. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The style of ordering at restaurants in Britain is very different from the US, and the University of Edinburgh is a very rigorous program. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
