Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A great home base for studying abroad. July 01, 2024

By (Politics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/10/2024 to 05/31/2024 with

IFSA: Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes are much more independent and research based than in America. IFSA is very supportive but the University of Edinburgh itself does not have great support resources. Computer Science courses are quite difficult. Classes are almost all big lecture and the quality of the lecture can vary considerably.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Kevin was fantastic! He helped me when I had a health problem, was very available, and prepared me well for the semester during orientation.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Dorms were old and not so nice. I requested to be placed with vegetarians but my request was not accommodated. Students have to purchase their own linens and kitchenware for the semester.

* Food:

You can choose to be in self-catered accommodation or not. I was in self-catered accommodation so I had no access to dining halls at the University. There were plenty of grocery stores near my accommodation though.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

You can join any of the clubs at the University and many of them are very welcoming. I went to some fun Scottish cultural celebrations. The University is very international and doesn't feel that Scottish though.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had a concussion and it was super easy for me to go to a GP and to get reimbursed.

* Safety:

I felt very safe.

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)

Groceries were very cheap and easily accesible. Having to buy our own kitchenware was very annoying at the beginning of the year. It is possible but difficult to obtain a student pass for free travel on busses and trains around the country.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to get the YoungScot card as soon as possible in the semester. Lidl and Aldi are the cheapest grocery stores and much cheaper than Sainsbury's.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Old European feel.
  • Good program events.
  • Relaxed pub culture.
* What could be improved?
  • Providing/Reusing kitchen stuff.
  • Academic Support
  • Earlier guidance about choosing classes.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The semester is very unstructured so its important to make a schedule for yourself and to start working on assignments early.

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.'