Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Really amazing I loved it so much February 20, 2023

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/12/2022 to 12/16/2022 with

Arcadia: Aberdeen - University of Aberdeen

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I matured a lot and learned how to be more independent as an 18 year old

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The study abroad program is great with a great variety of academic courses offered, professors that are great teachers and a lot of academic support and advising.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administration was great and has been very responsive. I did have trouble in the beginning in communicating during the summer to see if I could attend.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living arrangements were very good. Single rooms within apartments and fits all budgets.

* Food:

They reccomend to not take the dining options but kitchens were well accessible along with grocery stores. Dining options are not reccomended to north american students because they are not as extensive as north american meal plans

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Very well

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It is tricky because of public healthcare in the UK is tougher to access because of staffing shortages. I reccomend getting private provider if you need something done quickly otherwise wait times are extensive

* Safety:

Incredibly safe. Even at 3-4 am at night you can walk around the city undisturbed.

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

great nightlife, great academic clubs, courses are good, plenty to do and see

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $70 but I went to an expensive grocer that was organic
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Lidl is very cheap as a store and get a credit card that has no foreign currency transaction fees.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Nightlife
  • community and friends
  • campus beauty
* What could be improved?
  • Healthcare
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? be aware of how to navigate healthcare with the NHS

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

EL1009 Acts of reading
Course Department: English
Instructor: Allan Macpherson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Teacher was very good and was very insightful. Work was resonable and the Uk system generally has much tougher grading than the US system. Teacher was very open to give feedback and advice
Credit Transfer Issues: NA
Course Name/Rating:

Ph1027
Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Josh Blanchard
Instruction Language:
Comments: Great course, discussions were very difficult and insightful with a very professional PHD student and tenured lecturer
Credit Transfer Issues: NA
Course Name/Rating:

HA1004
Course Department: art history
Instructor: karl kinsella
Instruction Language:
Comments: Art history lecures very interesting. The course was very easy
Credit Transfer Issues: NA
Course Name/Rating:

HI2021
Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: Tough 2nd year course, with a lot of analysis. Very rewarding
Credit Transfer Issues: