Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Would do it again in a heartbeat Past Review

By (Psychology, Vanderbilt 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?
So worthwhile, it was the best decision I have ever made

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?

Loved being placed with full-time Uni students, they were so great

* Food:

Edinburgh isn't well-known for its food, but I cooked for myself most of the time so it wasn't bad

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Never felt unsafe

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)

The pound to dollar ratio was rough, but if you are smart about expenses it's not awful

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-$150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Sometimes forego pubs for hanging out at home, also cook yourself food and don't go out to eat

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
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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 city
  • The staff in Edinburgh
  • Prepared us well
* What could be improved?
  • Make the weekend trip longer or into two trips, a lot was crammed into one weekend
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't be afraid, it'll be the best thing you ever do

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'