Past Review
By Jordan R (Philosophy/ Religious Studies, Austin College) for
Arcadia: Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh
While we all occupy a particular place in a particular social and cultural setting, we are all quite similar. We all occupy the same planet, breathe the same air, and look up at the same sky. Prior to my departure, I expected to be confronted with significantly different social conventions, cultural barriers, etc... This was not the case. The universal spark of humanity is most clearly evident when students immerse themselves in foreign cultures, only to find that they are not that 'foreign' after all.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Arcadia: In short, they were absolutely wonderful. They made the transition from the US to Scotland relatively easy and provided us with a tremendous amount of resources necessary to suck the marrow out of our experiences abroad!! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My housing was very nice. I lived in a 6 bedroom flat in downtown Edinburgh. It was centrally located. All of the flatmates had to contribute to groceries, kitchen supplies, and toiletries. Overall, my living situation was highly satisfactory. |
| * Food: |
I chose a self-accomodating flat. In retrospect, i wish i didn't have to worry about purchasing groceries all of the time and cooking meals. Eating out can get rather expensive when the exchange rate is taken into account Great Restaurants and/or pubs 1.) Red Fort (indian food) 2.) The Crags (student pub... fish n' chips, burgers, chips, etc...) 3.) The Tron (student pub... fish n' chips, burgers, chips, etc...) 4.) Whisky (Pub in downtown: great for Haggis) 5.) All of the student run restaurants and pubs are great and inexpensive (anything with the EUSA involved) |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Social life in Edinburgh is fantastic. The people are easy to associate with and always welcome foreigners with open arms. Memorable Events: In Scotland 1.) Beltane Fire Festival 2.) Burns Night 3.) The Fringe Festival 4.) St. Andrews Golf Course 5.) Stirling Castle 6.) Edinburgh Castle 7.) Any and all Whisky distilleries (Aberfeldy in particular) 8.) Holyrood Palace 9.) Try to attend a Caleigh (Caleighs are local gatherings of folks dressed in traditional Scottish garb dancing to Scottish music... they are always fun) |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Edinburgh is the safest city I have ever visited in Europe. I never felt remotely threatened, in danger, or uncomfortable. |
| 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) |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Any and all students would benefit from attending the University of Edinburgh. I met international students from all different walks of life, none of which had anything negative to say about their particular program, the University, the city, or the people. I would highly recommend this program to anybody. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Scottish Theology |
| Course Department: | Divinity U00147 |
| Instructor: | Dr. George Newlands |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The course was moderately challenging. It was more like a survey of theologians and the theologies contained therein that have shaped the theological landscape of the country. Dr. Newlands was amazing. I would highly recommend this course to any theology student studying in Scotland. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No Credit Transfer issues. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Logic I |
| Course Department: | Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences PP9976 |
| Instructor: | Dr. Paul Schweizer |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | It was a decent entry level course. The lectures were rather boring and all of the material was posted online. In other words, students did not have to attend lectures to be successful in the course. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No Credit Transfer issues |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Modern Christology |
| Course Department: | Divinity DV0028 |
| Instructor: | Dr. Paul Nimmo |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This was a very challenging course. The breadth and depth of material contributed heavily to the difficulty of the course. Dr. Nimmo was a very engaging, thoughtful, and fair professor. This was my favorite course while studying abroad. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No Credit Transfer issues |
