This is a great program for motivated first year students. Past Review
By A student (Mathematics, Arcadia University) - abroad from 02/01/2013 to 06/01/2013 with
Arcadia: Stirling - University of Stirling
I learned more about living on my own, since it was only my second semester away from home. I also learned more about working with new people as well as how to direct a show as well as the basics of stage managing.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Stirling is a very different environment than Arcadia. Educationally it is a great school but it is based upon a model that involves large lectures of 200 to 300 students and having a 10-15 student tutorial as well. It was a bit overwhelming after being in such small classes before hand. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
If I had any problems the Arcadia staff abroad was always there just a phone call away. They were amazing. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in AKD which was an old dorm at Stirling University. It needed some major updating, but it is no longer a dorm option for that reason. |
| * Food: |
It was self-catered housing so I was able to cook whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My best friends were students at Stirling that semester. They integrated me into their culture very well, including dragging me around to tiny towns in Scotland I wouldn't have seen any other way. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health care was free as was counseling which was nice. |
| * Safety: |
I felt really safe in Stirling, even taking public transportation. I took the train and the buses alone multiple times and felt comfortable. |
| 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) |
With three other girls our groceries were about 70 pounds every two weeks and that included having them delivered. I believe I spent maybe an extra 20 pounds a week on school supplies and take out. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably about 50 pounds. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Tesco's delivers for about a pound at weird times, having your groceries delivered is much cheaper than taking a taxi or a bus to the grocery store. Also the walk from the university to the city isn't that long, so walk between the two during the day will save you money. |
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 the friendships you make will last years. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
