Freedom: Scotland is Rad. Past Review

By Chastity D (Film, Television, & Interactive Media, English, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/02/2013 to 05/26/2013 with

IFSA: Glasgow - University of Glasgow

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I have grown so much creatively and the time I have spent here has allowed me to gain confidence in my personal and academic skills. I have travelled a lot and gained great friendships (especially with the Canadians)!

Review Photos

IFSA-Butler: Glasgow - University of Glasgow Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The work is as hard as you make it. Usually, there is a class once a week ranging from 2-5 hours like (depending on the class) and no "assigned" homework. However, there are readings and viewings on the syllabus that help you understand the week's topic. I would suggest doing those.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The program leaders were super friendly and always there to help. They sent us a lot of emails with necessary hints and reminders. They were such a great addition to the study abroad experience.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The housing was great, I lived in a flat with about 15 other people. I made so many friends not only from Scotland but also other countries. Everyone was a different age, which the experience so much richer.
* Food:	I had to buy my own food and prepare it, but it was fun to learn and perfect my skills, especially with help from my flat mates. Going out is also a big part and you find so many cute pubs and cafes with awesome food.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	It was a little hard at first, but once you find a great group of people, you all jump in together!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Every student can enroll in NHS for free and the care is super cheap and they are generally pretty helpful. They also have a 24 hour hotline you can call just in case.
* Safety:	Even though Glasgow can be known for violence, I did not experience any. As long as you stay with friends and are smart, it is a very safe and fun place to be!
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)	You can spend as much money as you want.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	50-100 pounds
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Try to cook most of your meals at home. If you are a cafe snob like me, then you will spend a lot more money. Having a latte while sitting in a cafe is more expensive than if you get it for take away.

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 International 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?	Friends I met Landscapes are beautiful The program leaders were so sweet!
* What could be improved?	The School of Art students should have more opportunity to spend time with the University of Glasgow students. Orientation was hard because we were all so jet lagged. More trips?
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	There is nothing that I really needed to know, it's best to learn as you go along.

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 Outright Urbanite A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Scotland, Film and Television
Course Department:	FTV
Instructor:	Ian Goode
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The class deals with mostly international and local understanding of Scotland through film and television. The class focuses on mostly conceptual understanding and cultural myths. The class has an easy work load (I recommend doing the supplementary viewings and readings listed in the syllabus) and the test was super short and very easy to prepare for.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Screen Violence
Course Department:	FTV
Instructor:	Susan Berridge
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was awesome, it was so topical, and most of the material is from the states, which made it much easier to grasp. The class focuses primarily on connecting feminist dialogue with textual analysis of the films and television shows discussed. Follow the work load described in the syllabus and you will have a much better understanding. There is no exam, just three papers and the professor grades with a challenging hand.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Life Drawing: Rendering the Human Form
Course Department:	GSA
Instructor:	Jason Mathias
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This is a fun course and your skills improve dramatically. You have weekly sketchbook assignments and by the end of the class you are drawing a sustained nude pose for 50 minutes. The final assessment is just a discussion of your work and subsequent progression.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Black and White Photography
Course Department:	GSA
Instructor:	Betty
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This was such a free class. You are taught the basics of black and white film photography. You are given a camera with film and told to fill the roll within a week. You develop and print your photos in studio and it is a great learning experience. You are given a lot of freedom and the final is a presentation to discuss your work.
Credit Transfer Issues: