Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I liked all the classes I took while I was there. There wasn't a lot of work, just weekly reading for a tutorial session (like a discussion), but I didn't like the way classes were graded. At Stirling, you are graded on three things: the final exam (worth 50%), a paper (worth 40%), and participation (worth 10%). I had wished there were more assignments for us to do that were worth less rather than have fewer assignments that were worth more.

On-site administration of your program

The orientation they gave us was very helpful and they let us know that they were there if we needed support at any time. The only negative thing I have to say about the Stirling's program administration was their airport pick-up srrvice. I made it to the airport in time to be picked up by them but couldn't find anyone from the university. If I had had a mobile number, I could have called someone by using a pay phone to find them in the airport. Instead, I had to find my own way to Stirling by myself. That is definitely not the kind of experience I would like other students to have so that part of their program really needs to be fixed. But some general advice just in case that happens: if you do have to find your own way to Stirling, you can either take a taxi (the more expensive option, which would probably be £40-50 from Edinburgh Airport and £50-60 from Glasgow Airport) and it would take you directly from the airport to Stirling; or if you'd like to save money you could take a bus from the airport to the train station, the train to Stirling, and then a bus from the city centre in Stirling to the university (probably around £20-30). The second option is definitely more stressful but it's cheaper as well.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a seven person flat in off campus housing. I really liked that I was both close to the university (about a 10 minute bus ride) and close to town (10-15 minute walk). I liked that I could go into uni for classes or to do homework but that I could also get away from school and have a separation between the two. I got along really well with my flatmates, 4 were from Scotland and 2 from England, and I that helped to make my experience there really enjoyable.

I went to Tesco's (one of the local supermarkets) in Stirling with my flatmates. Four of us would regularly shop and cook dinner together each week. I was also able to go to local restaurants and try authentic scottish food but also have american food like Domino's pizza and Subway as well. In the UK, they don't have as many options for cereal like we do in the US and I found that some of the same foods both countries had weren't as good as they were back home. But there were so many new foods that it made up for not having all the foods you were comfortable with from home.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Since I lived with all local students, and they knew I wanted to experience as much local Scottish culture I could, they brought me along to many different clubs, castles, shopping centers, to a ceilidh (a traditional Scottish dance) and to Glasgow for a night out. I also went to northern England one weekend with my flatmate who was from Carlisle, and to Munich with my other flatmate whose father lived there. I was also able to go up to the Highlands when my parents came to visit and I went to Ireland on spring break with four other girls from Clark. My flatmates knew I wanted to experience as much as possible while I was in Scotland and they helped me do just that.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

All of the study abroad students had to register with Health Services on campus and I knew I could make an appointment at any time if I was sick or needed medicine. As far as safety concerns go, I knew to be aware of my surroundings and always travel with friends but overall I felt safe while I was there.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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