Pretending to be a local, failing miserably Past Review
By Samantha D (Health: Science Society and Policy / Psychology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/11/2013 to 05/25/2013 with
Arcadia: Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh
This experience was definitely worthwhile and I recommend studying abroad to all students while in college. Not only did I gain an appreciation and love for another culture, I was exposed to different teaching and learning methods as well as subject perspectives, that I can use in my later studies.
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. |
I took 5 courses while abroad, 4 of them being 3rd year honors. Much was left to the student and there was very little assistance from the professor in obtaining readings and resources. The use of a different lecturer almost every week for each class led to some discontinuity in lectures and lack of office hours. |
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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? |
I found my own private student apartment without the assistance of the program or the university. However, the others in my program that received university housing seemed very pleased |
| * Food: |
We bought our own food while in the country. |
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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? |
I was unable to find a general practitioner that would accept the insurance provided and we were told at the beginning that we would be able to use the university's health care center because it was already to capacity. I went to 4 different health care providers and none were accepting new patients. When I was sick and needed medication, I went to the hospital where my care was excellent and provided without charge. |
| * Safety: |
Areas near the city center are very safe and I felt no danger walking in these areas at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 was difficult for me to live on my budget without any income during this time mainly because I was paying rent and my bills were higher than expected, also food is quite pricy in this city. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent roughly $250 a week between food, rent, and other bills with minimal outside activities |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go with university provided housing, not doing so caused me to miss out on other abroad opportunities. Take advantage of stores like "Poundland" and search around for the cheaper supermarkets outside the city center. |
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? | Coming from a small university where most students live on campus, I guess I just wasn't prepared to go to a university in a big city, where dorms / apartments were almost a mile away from main campus and we were pretty much left on our own. I wish I knew the level of independence we would have. Also, the structure of the classes was very different to what I am used to, and wasn't really aware of the proper study methods for the types of exams given. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
