Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I dont know how I feel August 08, 2024

By (Environmental Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/09/2024 to 05/08/2024 with

IFSA: St. Andrews - University of St. Andrews

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I don't know what I gained. I guess greater independence. I'd say it was worthwhile, but often unenjoyable

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I loved IFSA itself and the support it provided. But St Andrew itself acted like I did not exist, and gave me zero support whatsoever in anything. St Andrews puts up pay walls over any activity (gym, clubs, sports, events, ect.) that would've given me chances to make friends and try new things. Also they messed up the final grade for one of my classes and have ghosted me about trying to fix it. IFSA itself was a wonderful resoruce which gave me new friends and had fun activities to do.

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)

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

  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • IFSA friends
  • IFSA activities
  • ability to travel
* What could be improved?
  • having st andrews not make you pay to join clubs or use amenities like the gym
  • St andrews having more activites that introduce study abroad students with actual students
  • more St Andrew focues IFSA activites. They were often really hard to get to.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew just how unattached to St Andrews as a university I would feel.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.