I was cold, but I had a blast! Past Review
By May W (Urban Studies/Affairs., Trinity University) - abroad from 02/04/2013 to 06/01/2013 with
Arcadia: Stirling - University of Stirling
I feel like I am a professional traveler now. I learned that I cannot control everything, especially when traveling, and that I have to let loose and just go with the flow. It was definitely worth while.
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 was not a fan of how little work there was. Hardly any students went to lectures and there were only two assignments that were graded at all, so it was very difficult to even think about classes or school work. I do feel like I learned, since I attended the lectures. However, overall I much prefer the many assignments and work that is usual for American Universities. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Scotland administration was definitely the most helpful of the Arcadia administration. It was not until I arrived in Scotland that many of my questions were answered. They also provided us with optional small trips over the weekend which were very fun. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I am glad that I lived on a flat rather than a dorm. I enjoyed being in town and having more of my own space. |
| * Food: |
Haggis was delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were basically no Scottish students in the University flats. My entire flat consisted of Americans. The University itself is a very big international University so the number of international students from the US and Asia, I think, greatly out numbered the Scottish students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The health care was very easy and super helpful. |
| * Safety: |
I did not feel threatened or scared at any point of my trip, especially in the UK. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Traveling is expensive, but part of the experience. So expect to be very broke. |
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? | I wish I knew that the university I was going to was mostly international students. I was really expecting to be integrated with the locals, especially in my living environment. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
