Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Go abroad to be abroad, not for the academics Past Review

By (English and American Literature, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/08/2013 to 12/22/2013 with

Arcadia: Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
New friends, experience living independently in a different culture. The university and academics were not what I expected or hoped for.

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.

There was a teacher/staff strike the semester I was there that negatively affected my academic experience

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was no integration assistance or support; my integration was entirely up to me.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make your own meals instead of eating out for most meals. Factor in entertainment in a city (clubs, bars, concerts, museums, etc) as part of your budget.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • the city of Edinburgh
* What could be improved?
  • integration assistance from host university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? One semester is certainly long enough to be abroad, especially in an English-speaking country.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Stories for Boys
Course Department: English Literature
Instructor: Robert Irvine
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Edinburgh in Fiction
Course Department: English Literature
Instructor: Ally Crockford
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Good literature course to take while in Edinburgh because it illustrated the city historically and culturally.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Feminist Debates
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Radhika Govindi
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: