Amazing Experience in an Amazing City Past Review
By Ashley P (Political Science and Government., Trinity University) - abroad from 08/28/2013 to 12/14/2013 with
Arcadia: Edinburgh - Scottish Parliamentary Program
I learned how to depend on myself and how to open up while abroad.
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. |
With only 5 weeks of class, you learn about the politics within the UK and Scotland, as well as Scottish culture before the real challenge arrises: the 10 week internship. The internship pushes you to learn more about Scotland and how MSPs work with their constituents on a one on one basis. You also have to create a detailed research report that you and your MSP agree on that they will use while in office. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Edinburgh is a great city and I alway felt safe. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It is centrally located to Parliament and to class, but there is a significant noise issue in the area. With at least 5 pubs in the vicinity, the noise can go until 1 AM or later making it hard to go to sleep. Also, living with first year college students is not the most pleasant experience especially if you are an upperclassman. |
| * Food: |
You have your own kitchen to make meals for yourself in, but there is only 1 stove and refrigerator and living with 5 other girls who get in at the same time creates some problems when trying to make food. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Working in Parliament definitely helped me gain insight into Scottish culture and helped me make friends in Scotland albeit people that were not in university. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Was never sick but had full coverage while abroad. |
| * Safety: |
Edinburgh is a very safe city. |
| 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) |
Edinburgh is a very expensive city so you have to budget while over there. I managed really well but you cannot forget the 1.6% greater value the pound has over the dollar |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | BUDGET. If you are going on a trip, make sure you have a plan on where cheap food places are located or if you have enough money to make it the rest of the week. There is nothing worse than running low on cash. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do not bring super high heels to wear to work! They are not comfortable and your feet will be sore by the end of the day. |
