The greatest experience of my life Past Review
By Emma Phalen (University of New Hampshire) - abroad from 01/09/2017 to 05/27/2017 with
Arcadia: Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh
I learned a lot about myself and how I handle certain situations, especially when I travelled by myself. I learned to appreciate the balance between spending time with friends and spending time alone. It's hard to sum up everything I learned, but I'm encouraging everyone I know to study abroad because I know it made me a more confident person and it was such a great experience.
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 learned so much while I was in Edinburgh. It was very different from the way I usually learn at my home school, but it's easy to adjust. At my home school I can go to lectures and get away with not reading and have a great grade in the class, but at Edinburgh, most people don't attend lectures but do all of the readings. |
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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? |
Darroch Court was so nice and so close to everything! Basically on the corner of Cowgate (lots of nightlife) but not close enough to be loud. Nicholson street is also very close where you can get groceries or something to eat, and from Nicholson you are right next to campus. |
| * Food: |
I mostly made my own food, but there are so many different options if you want to eat out. Loads of ethnic as well as traditional places. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was lucky enough to meet local kids who knew all the good places to go, and without them, my experience wouldn't have been nearly as incredible. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
If you need to go to the doctors, you have to go through your program's website and make an appointment with the people they are associated with so that you don't get charged and have to request a refund. |
| * Safety: |
It's always a good idea to be cautious wherever you are, but I never felt unsafe in Edinburgh. All of my friends lived in one area, and I would walk a few minutes back home from a night out by myself late at night and I never felt unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I come from a town of 3,000 people, so living in a city seemed really scary to me, but Edinburgh was the perfect city for someone who doesn't think they like cities. I tell people "I don't usually like cities, but I love Edinburgh". It is the perfect size and there is so much to do there. It's not industrial, it is so old with cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture but is home to very modern businesses, clubs, etc. Edinburgh is also home to Arthur's seat, a mountain in the middle of the city. I come from a town right under a mountain, so having that was perfect for when I wanted to hike and be outdoors while also experiencing what it was like to live in a city. Everyone is so friendly and I felt very safe. I will be returning very soon. |
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 all depends on your lifestyle. I could spend 20 pounds on groceries a week and be totally fine, and I didn't go clothes shopping at all. It's the alcohol that gets you. |
| 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? | When you take out cash, take out a lot at a time 1. so that you aren't charged as much 2. so you have a better idea of how much you're actually spending. If you take out $300, pay for everything in cash (but only put a little in your wallet at a time and keep the rest safe at home), and then set a date for the next time you can take out money, it's so much easier to keep track of spending. |
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? | Don't let homesickness keep you from doing anything. Being homesick IN Edinburgh is absolutely nothing compared to how much you're going to be homesick FOR Edinburgh. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
