A Wonderfully Magic City September 14, 2023
By Isabelle A (Human Biology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/11/2023 to 05/28/2023 with
IFSA: Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh
I spent a lot of time reflecting and was able to explore a whole new city that I actually lived in. I was able to create a whole new world for myself out there.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was more academically rigorous in testing than I was expecting! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great administration, they were extremely helpful and supportive. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great living arrangements and great location at Morgan Court, it was right in the center of everything! much better than American dorm living. |
| * Food: |
Pretty good food. They have food from everywhere, but eating out is expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was once stuck with no way to go home in the middle of Dunbar, and a local offered to drive me to the train station which was completely out of her way. I was able to travel a lot in the country and meet people. In Scotland, everyone is very kind and friendly. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had a situation where I was travelling in Spain and had a bad allergic reaction and it was difficult and long to get the healthcare I needed. but IFSA was extremely helpful and helped me mitigate next steps and payment plans. |
| * Safety: |
Super safe! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IFSA was extremly supportive and responded to all of my questions and qualms. The program leaders were super nice and very accommodating. |
Finances
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* 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Europe was very expensive. Budgeting is key but be prepared to probably spend more than you expected. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50-100$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget!! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That everything you think you know about abroad is going to change, and thats a good thing because you will learn so much more than you could have known. |
