People make a place feel like home! Past Review
By Tiffani Porter (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 02/01/2016 to 05/20/2016 with
Robert Gordon University: Aberdeen - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned that the U.S. is studied by all countries while we don't know much about the rest of the world. I learned to make a friend in a 5 minute conversation instead of trying to pass the time. Most importantly, I learned how to enjoy life more than I knew possible.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I skipped most of my classes and still managed to get A's. The work load is extremely light which gave me plenty of time to learn about culture and people. Overall good experience, just not as challenging as home. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The two Erasmus coordinators were helpful and friendly throughout th whole experience! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The rooms were tiny, but we were well taken care of. |
| * Food: |
All I can say is I miss eating vinegar wth my chips!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We made sure to do everything the Scottish way to ensure we fit in with the locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Most people have great experiences with the NHS, but I am the exception. It took me almost a week to get in touch with the Doctor, and even then, he would not see me. I canceled a trip because I was so sick and missed almost 2 weeks worth of class. My Erasmus advisor was very helpful and checked in on me a few times a week. She even offered to drive me to the Emergency Room. |
| * Safety: |
Aberdeen truly is a safe city. At first, I was scared to be out at night considering the police don't even carry guns, but I felt safe walking through the city at all hours of the night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The people that I met were what made my experience so great! I met many international students learning English, which wouldn't have be as likely if I went to a different country. I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. |
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) |
The U.K. Is very expensive, but I cooked most of my meals and managed to make it by easily. I even booked a few extra weekend trips because I wasn't spending the money I had budgeted for my time. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-150 pounds=$150-225 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook as many meals as you can and save your money for fun things. Don't go crazy shopping for clothes because you have to leave them behind anyway. Student Universe and SkyScanner will be your best friend while booking trips. Living in a country that is more expensive than the U.S. I struggled with spending money at first, but remember that you should live like the locals do. Don't short your experience because you are trying to save your pocketbook! You have the rest of your life to make money and spend it wisely. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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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| 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? |
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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? | I feel as if I was well prepared to leave and had enough knowledge to get through while learning about my surroundings. I only would have liked to know the geography and history of Europe more. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
