Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Unforgettable Experience in an Enchanting City Past Review

By (English, Business Administration, Trinity University) - abroad from 09/02/2014 to 12/20/2014 with

IFSA: Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I didn't expect to be faced with so many cultural differences in a country that speaks my language, but I'm glad for it. 100% a worthwhile experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

My flat was self-catered

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never used local healthcare while abroad.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

I spent nearly twice as much per week I as would in the US.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • the highlands trip
  • the homestay experience
  • the advisors and the friendships
* What could be improved?
  • offering an optional trip
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had given more thought to how I would manage money before arriving in Scotland, including deciding in advance whether or not to get a Scottish bank account and having a better understanding of how much more I would be spending on a day-to-day basis as a result of using a different currency.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.