It was really fun, but it was not the cultural experience I was looking for. Past Review
By A student (Geosciences, Trinity University) - abroad from 08/28/2013 to 12/16/2013 with
Arcadia: Edinburgh - Scottish Parliamentary Program
I gained work experience and had a lot of fun, but it was a program that could have been located in the states, there was very little integration with Scottish society
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program was not very rigorous during the courses, and my MSP did not give me very much work to do unfortunately |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived with all American students in our flat, so we didn't get very many opportunities to make Scottish friends |
| * Food: |
Schootish food is filing, but not exactly healthy |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not at all. I worked, lived with, and took classes with all Americans. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare in the UK was great, just make sure you sign up for NHS! the insurance that some people try to sell you is useless, they try to make you pay for everything up front. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Edinburgh, even walking alone late at night. The only real danger felt like alcohol poisoning.... |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
It wans't easy, the exchange rate was horrible when I was there. Especially if you plan on traveling, expect to go over budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | not sure per week, but I spent close to $3,500 over the semester |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan your trips early to avoid high flight prices, and cook meals together to same money |
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? | how much it costs to feed myself and live in a European city |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
