Scotlandddddd! (Brave Heart voice) Past Review
By joellecubero (Studio Art, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/01/2013 to 12/20/2013 with
Arcadia: Glasgow - Glasgow School of Art
I learned how small my mentality of the world was before getting there. I learned stereotypes about my home from an international viewpoint, about cultures from other countries not only Scotland's, and about issues others find important that I felt never concerned me. The best thing was that I learned how to befriend people that were so different than me! And we helped each other grow a bit each time we held conversations.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
GSA was amazing. Four years of this curriculum would have been extremely beneficial to my career. A one term preview was not enough! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I absolutely loved Arcadia and truly appreciated the extra events organized for us. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Scotland in general is a very wet country. My only complaint was the moldy showers and no working vents! |
| * Food: |
Expensive compared to the U.S. so that was fought to adjust to. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The social culture is quite different--everyones' smoking habits mostly. Everyone is so friendly for the most part and the area is extremely hip and young. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It is impossible to call the doctor and get through to anyone so you have to walk all the way over just to make an appointment for another day. Other than that, once I was there the doctor was great and not having to pay for anything makes the visit nice. |
| * Safety: |
I felt pretty safe most of the time. Locking the doors to the flat is a must because a fellow classmate came out of the shower to a man in her flat. |
| 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) |
I budgeted very well there by cooking for myself the majority of the time. The electric bill was tough to control with some roommates keeping the heater on all the time. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | at least 40 pounds a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook for yourself/ have flat dinners where everywhere contributes something Go to the farmers market for veggies and fruits Turn heater on long before bedtime and off right before Do not waste money on drinks at the clubs Use the subway instead of a cab if you are alone Buy bedding, coats and boots before getting there |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | That airfare to Northern Ireland is like 15 pounds if you book early… my biggest regret is not going! Also that train tickets shoot up sporadically. |
