Scotland: A Whole New Experience, Good and Bad, But Ultimately Rewarding and Worthwhile. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found that the education system in the UK was very different from ours in the US. I think it was difficult to judge what the tutors expected from students. The tutors projected very high expectations and made it clear that individual research and reading beyond the class requirements were necessary to do well in the course, but I felt like it was easy to fake external knowledge by memorizing facts for the exams. I liked how classes were set up having a lecture portion and a tutorial portion. The close interaction and small classes in tutorials demanded that students be engaged and involved and helped me build on what was taught in the lecture. I felt like I learned more from having assigned readings than where it was expected that students go off on their own and read for themselves. If I had that kind of motivation and personal interest in the subject then I could do just as well on my own and not be at university, but I don't. The grading system was very different, and I felt like some tutors were much much more inclined to give higher grades than others. The workload was very unbalanced, but that was probably because it was expected that people spread out their work and revising, which I didn't do well that semester.

On-site administration of your program

I felt like the program did very little to help students. We had an orientation, which was helpful, and we had a few events planned for international students, but I got little help from the program throughout the semester and ended up learning everything from other students. I'm not sure what the program could have done to be more helpful, but I did feel like there was a lack of accessibility. I sought out one staff member who had offered his services to look over course work for help on an assignment and received no help. A lot of other international students were dissatisfied with the ability of the host institution to get things done. I personally didn't encounter any problems, but I didn't feel like they helped me either. I also thought it was strange how international students lived together. It was helpful, because we were experiencing the same problems and could help each other, but it was very difficult to meet/build relationships with native students. I was happy with my study abroad experience, but maybe things could have been done to address issues like this that I feel like a lot of students shared. I also experienced a huge lack communication from my program before getting to my host institution. I was not told dates for the trip, where my housing was, how much of my trip was or wasn't paid for, how to use the buses/how to find transportation, what to do once I got to the country. I was told the minimum and had to go on good faith that things were planned out further than what had been told to me.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was arranged for me by the program after I selected to live in university accommodation. My flat was broken into due to scaffolding being left in front of my window, and my ipod, laptop, and camera were stolen. I encountered a few people who had been victims of break ins and theft, but other than that the city felt very safe. There were not really any ghettos of the city, I walked around at night alone and never encountered any problems, I usually felt safe in my surroundings. I don't know if that was a naive illusion but I think I lived in a very safe city. My flatmates and I had to buy almost everything for our kitchen, everything but large appliances like a fridge, toaster, and microwave. The study abroad program put international students into their housing, and we all paid the same amount of money but some housing seemed much better than others. Some students were put into gorgeous multi-million pound flats that were fully furnished, decorated, and supplied. Others were put into buildings that provided cookware, utensils, plated, bowls, etc, and with better rooms, appliances, and furnishings. Our flat didn't even have a common living space or any of the above supplies. Our building would get a lot of maintenance issues, but they would be taken care of promptly. I was treated very well by the building manager. I had a 30-40 minute commute to my classes, 3/4 of a mile walk to the bus stop and then a bus ride. The city had a lot of places to go at night, either pubs or clubs. I was extremely pleased with our building's insurance plan, which was better than other buildings.

I bought all of my food from the grocery store. I never ate on campus, so I don't know how well they accommodated dietary restrictions or its quality. I ate out semi-frequently, that was a big part of the socializing scene.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I enjoyed going to ceilidh dance classes, eating out at restaurants that offered special deals for students, going out to pubs and night clubs. I frequented a jazz bar with my friends. I didn't have any field trips, but there were two trips that were offered by a student association, and I did get involved with a film conference through one of my instructors. I also enjoyed the Beltane Fire Festival and many of the attractions of the city.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was told to get registered with a doctor by my host institution but the doctors refused us and told us since we were students we would be seen if we needed medical attention. I had an insurance plan but I don't know much about it. I sprained my ankle while abroad and saw the doctor, which ended up being a very short visit and I was less than satisfied. I felt that he tapped on my ankle, told me to ice it and sent me home. I was dissatisfied because I had to walk to the doctor and walk back and I felt like the medical attention given was minimal. I did not need any vaccines for the trip. I felt like healthcare was more affordable, which was fantastic, but I also think it was of a lower quality than I think is generally in the states.

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

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• Apartment

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• International Students
• Americans

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• Local Students