A perfect Scottish immersion! Past Review

By Julia (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/07/2019 to 05/25/2019 with

Arcadia: Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I loved it! Everything is different even in the details. The way of living, the education systems, the culture, the language. Enrolling in a large international university like Edinburgh is the way to go because you can really experience life there. Classes are easy but not necessarily easy to get an A. Everyone is nice and the city is beautiful and manageable. Living independently was easy and enjoyable.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The classes were all really easy for the most part. The grades are literally only made up of the midterm and final. It’s hard to get an A no matter how hard you try just because of their grading system. Non American students rarely attend class and there is not just 1 professor ever but rather a string of lecturers. It is a lot self teaching.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived in a flat in the main downtown area and it was old, small, and dirty but beyond that perfect. The location was everything. Lots of fun events and common areas and living with a mix of abroad students and Scottish students was ideal. I felt like I was a part of the university and city not just a tourist.
* Food:	Cheap and good! Big variety and many grocery stores.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Loved it! Easy to adjust but also amazingly unique.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I needed to go to the doctor a few times and Arcadia and the university were all very helpful. And it’s free!
* Safety:	The city is very safe.
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)	The amount you spend totally depends on how much you eat out vs cook for yourself and if you go clubbing or not. Clubs have a $10 cover usually and bars and clubs drinks are from $4-$10. If I didn’t go out and cooked my own meals I could eat for $20 a week.
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?	Traveling is more expensive than you think Cause you have to go out for all your meals!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students
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?	Orientation Events in semester
* What could be improved?	Better trips More events
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	You have a lot of time off, enjoy it! But make sure to give yourself enough time in Edinburgh. Definitely walk all over the city, meet new people, join clubs, and live in a flat and not dorms.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Scottish Studies 1B
Course Department:	History
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Such a frustrating class in the sense that some lectures were incredible and relevant while others seemed obscure and the lecturer did not care. The lecturers changed weekly. Really interesting content though and expectations explained well.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Physical Geography
Course Department:	Geography
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Wildly easy. Felt like 8th grade earth science. 2 labs in the semester that were like basic computer skills. Did not strike me as “geography” but rather very vague and broad earth science.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Identity and Experience in Health
Course Department:
Instructor:	Nini
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was so interesting. Assessments were fair and discussions relevant. Felt like the professor and lecturers cared and were knowledgeable.
Credit Transfer Issues: