Scotland: the beautiful, crazy cousin of Britain, aka one of the best places in the world! Past Review
By Sarah W (English Lit/Film Studies, Trinity University) for
IFSA: Glasgow - University of Glasgow
ABSOLUTELY! I wouldn't change a single thing about my experience abroad. I learned so much about myself and so much about Scotland and international perspectives. Going abroad really allowed me to prioritize the experiences I want to have in life and I know that I want to return to Europe after College. Studying abroad is one of the best things I've done with my life and I am so glad I was lucky enough to have this opportunity. I met so many amazing people and learned so much, the experience is almost indescribable.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I found myself very appreciative of Trinity at the end of the semester. The education system in the UK is so much more self-motivated, it was good for being abroad because it allowed me more time to travel, however I appreciate the level of education I am getting at Trinity a lot more. The amount of class time is so different. We would have hour long lectures and then seminar and they were basically supposed to spur your interest in whatever topic you decided to write your final paper on. There were times when I felt like I was ahead of the curve, yet there were other times where I realized I was lacking in a lot of my understanding. Overall it was a good experience, I learned a lot inside and outside of the classroom and I wouldn't change a thing. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was great about maintaining contact with us and being available when people in the program needed help. It was also nice to know they were handling all of the paperwork with the university and other clerical things. It really was great to be able to enjoy being abroad without the stress of coordinating all the intricate ins and outs. I had confidence that the program was looking out for me so I was able to really enjoy the freedom of being abroad. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in the West End - Queen Margaret Residences. The area was really nice, walked through the Botanical Gardens every day to get to class, a really friendly area with easy access to the underground and to campus. It was self-catered, so I had to buy cookware and the basics needed to live in the flat. Bed linens were provided. Really nice accommodations overall. |
| * Food: |
It was pretty easy to buy groceries and stay on budget living in the flat. There were grocery stores nearby and a lot of good restaurants on Byres road if we felt like going out to eat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program provided a weekend trip to Inverness, a local dinner to check in on our adjustment, a special Thanksgiving dinner, and a Christmas Farewell tea. The program also included a home stay visit which was a really great experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in Glasgow, just avoid going south of the river. But really, I walked to the city center at 3 in the morning to take the bus to the airport and it was perfectly safe. I never needed healthcare, but several of the people in my program got free prescriptions, just make sure you register with a doctor. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent under 20pounds = around $30 on groceries each week on staple food items like pasta, fruit, milk, etc. Going out for drinks can get a little expensive but you can budget that too. Travelling was equally manageable budget wise. Overall, not counting the program fee/return ticket abroad, I was able to travel and live in the city on about $1000 a month. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You realize how many luxuries that you can go without when your focus is on the experience and not the material. Allow yourself to splurge every once in a while. I gave myself a cushion in my budget for emergency expenses which helped when I had to buy a new ticket home last minute after my flight was cancelled. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I really think this program is great for any student, looking at the school and academics is important and consider if you want to go for an academic challenge or more to explore new places. |
