Learned more in pubs than in classrooms. May 28, 2024
By A student (Politics & Philosophy, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/10/2024 to 05/25/2024 with
IFSA: Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh
You are capable of so much more than you think you are. I gained real independence and self-reliance abroad which is the most worthwhile thing I could have earned. I feel more confident in my capacity to workout with spontaneous hiccups in my personal and professional life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Like many public universities in Europe, the University of Edinburgh is a very decentralized institution. Hence, while resources are available for domestic and international students, the likelihood that a student (especially one who is not spending more than one term at the university) will access those resources is low. While my courses were interesting and the material kept me engaged, I found the lack of faculty and tutor engagement to hinder my academic experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The university or abroad programs ought to provide better descriptions of the housing available to international students. My housing arrangement did not compare with its given description on the university's accomodations materials. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Edinburgh is among the safest cities I've been in. I never feared for my physical safety in Edinburgh, and felt perfectly comfortable walking alone during the day or late at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Despite not liking the University of Edinburgh all that much, I loved Edinburgh and being a student in the city. I learned a lot about myself and what I enjoy out of a city whilst living in Edinburgh. |
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) |
Because the cost of living in the UK is very expensive, I suggest learning to cook basic meals for yourself if you don't know how to do so already. Buying every single meal out will drain your funds very quickly. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$30-40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save WAY more money than you anticipate needing. Especially if you intend on traveling outside your host-country, the cost of hostels, travel, and food when you are visiting a new place is much higher than you envision in your head. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | The University of Edinburgh is not filled with Scottish students. You are more likely to meet fellow international students than local Scottish ones. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
