Captivated by Caledonia Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

At Heriot Watt University I experienced the perfect balance of work load and challenge that allowed me to grow academically while affording me the freedom to travel frequently.

On-site administration of your program

Due to a staffing change early in the semester it became difficult to communicate with receiving study abroad office. I encountered much confusion on both sides, was initially given an incorrect identity, and am still dealing with issues of miscommunication involving finances.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I sought my own living arrangements in the city center rather than on campus. It required a little more effort on my end during the search process but once everything was settled I was so happy with my choice.

I was never provided food through my program but found no difficulty in feeding myself. I am now a big fan of haggis, black pudding, and whisky, staples of the Scottish diet.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was lucky enough to become close friends with several Scottish people and this certainly enhanced my cultural experience. Making a friend from the outer islands of Scotland who speaks fluent Gaelic, plays the bagpipes in a pipe band, and is a strong Scottish Nationalist very thoroughly integrated me into the local culture.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Scotland's health care system is one of the greatest in the world. I had very seamless access to free health care services. I had to fill out one form upon a visit to the on-campus physician and then was able to use all services without fee or penalty. I did have to end up using these services when I experiences highly unusual patterns in my menstrual cycle. I received quality, easy to access care services. I did not require any additional vaccinations for any of the places I visited in Europe. I found healthcare and health issues to be very similar to those at home.

Never once during my time in Edinburgh did I feel unsafe. It is a very warm and friendly city and I lived in a very safe area. I walked home comfortably by myself at all times of the day, never feeling threatened or overly uneasy. My advice? Always be aware and hold some level of suspicion for strangers and NEVER consume alcohol if you aren't with trusted friends. I followed these simple rules and had a wonderful, safe time while abroad.

My program provided me with the freedom to create and dictate my own study abroad experience. This option was incredibly affordable because of my scholarships and provided the exact experience that I was looking for.

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

1...this is a hard scale to use (especially if you didn't track your expenses this closely, like me). I put 1 because I spent between $5,000 and $6,000 total over the course of 22 weeks abroad. But that included a LOT of travel. If I just considered by week to week expenses like groceries or going out I could easily have given a 4-5 rating.

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• Apartment

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• Local Students
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Independence, no micromanaging
• Location, Edinburgh is magical and Scotland is a dream
• Class credits, I knew exactly how my credits would transfer

• Receiving-Side Exchange Office, poor communication and poorer organization
• Host University, I would have preferred University of Edinburgh over Heriot Watt University
• Grade transfer, I did not fully understand how my grades in Scotland would be reflected on my home transcript

The Avid Adventurer