Life-Changing Experience Past Review
By Madeline A (Rhodes College) - abroad from 01/12/2016 to 04/29/2016 with
Arcadia: Edinburgh - Scottish Parliamentary Program
Studying abroad has shown my how limited my view of the world was. I have always been passionate about international studies and considered myself to be quite "worldly", but it turns out that you can't truly appreciate the world until you have lived in other parts of it. This is a lesson that I will carry with me throughout both my personal and professional careers. Studying abroad will continue to encourage me to challenge my pre-conceived notions, look at problems from all different angles, see the world through different eyes, and always try and be as flexible as possible. If there is one thing study abroad taught me, it is that going with the flow (as difficult as it might be) is absolutely necessary and this is something I believe will serve me well long after I leave Scotland. I would do it again and again in a heartbeat.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Never felt so safe in a city |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Studying abroad has completely changed my outlook on life and want every student to be able to have the same wonderful experience that I did. SO much of my incredible experience would not have been possible without the second-to-none team at IFSA-Butler. I chose the program and it just happened to be in Scotland; I will be forever grateful for this. Scotland is the most incredible and under-rated country that I have ever been to and, because of IFSA-Butler, I was able to really integrate myself into Scottish society. The IFSA team made it a point to check on us just enough so that we felt independent but knew that they were there if we ever needed anything. They have drop-in hours every week so that you are able to go to them with any problems you might have. I have never felt so supported by a group of people other than my parents. My experience at Parliament allowed me to see what issues are really facing the population of Scotland and this enabled me to connect with the city on a much deeper level. I fell in love with Edinburgh this semester and this would have been much more difficult if it had not been for IFSA-Butler and my time at Parliament. |
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) |
Edinburgh is a bit pricey |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Create a budget BEFORE you go abroad |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I had known how expensive Edinburgh was. I also wish I had known how common culture shock was. It was covered in orientation but I wish it was something I had known about before I came here. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
