Past Review
By Emily K (Sociology., SUNY - Binghamton) for
SUNY Binghamton: Edinburgh - Exchange & Study Abroad Program at University of Edinburgh
It was extremely worth while. I recommend studying abroad to anyone that can afford it. I was really a home body before I studied abroad. I would go home all the time on the weekends. But now, after studying abroad, I plan on moving back to Scotland. It changed me so much! I'm more mature, a stronger person, and more independent. It helped me so much. It helped me especially with my independence because I was kind of forced into doing all this. You have no one really to depend on when you alone in a foreign country. Of course, there were people there to help. But it was really cool knowing that someone like me was able to figure out public transportation, shop on my own, go out at my leisure, and other things like that. I've never experience being completely responsible for myself and it was seriously such a good feeling. I had a few hard times getting used to live alone but it was worth it. I wouldn't change those experiences for anything. It taught me to be strong, ask questions, be outgoing, meet people, etc. I also gained so much more of a grasp on other cultures and other people. I realized that I was trapped in this bubble that is America. There is so much more out there and so much more to see! We are not the only country in the world!! I found that I actually like the culture more in Scotland than in the states. It fits with my personality more. In fact I am having more of a reversal culture shock than a culture shock I had in Scotland. It was also cool to learn about everyday life of people in Scotland and their government, etc. I could go on and on about how wonderful and life changing my experience was right now but I would seriously be typing for years. It was that good! I wish everyone had the opportunity and chances to study abroad. IT IS THE BEST
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2010 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Even though it was a complete change from anything I was used to--it was worthwhile. I learned more than I would have being babied (like in the states). Learned abroad taught me to put so much more effort into a paper or exam than I would have back home. For example, in one of my classes I had a paper worth 75 percent of my final grade. It was nervewracking but I worked really hard on it and it paid off. Studying abroad teaches you to put more effort into work you would otherwise procrastinate and slack off on in an American university. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a student house through the University in a residential neighborhood <br /><br /> I liked living with people from all over the world |
| * Food: |
At first it was hard to get used to non-American food (esp. the grocery shopping) but I did get used to it |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I absolutely loved my experience abroad. I loved it so much, I'm looking into grad school there. If not grad school, I plan on moving back there in some shape or form. I got so used to life in Scotland that it was actually really hard for me to leave it. Scotland actually now feels more home to me than the place I've lived my whole life. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe in Edinburgh. I actually feel more unsafe in America |
| 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? | Grocery shopping I spent 15 to 30 pounds on each week. Personal expenses differed each week but I'd say about 20 to 30 pounds? It is hard to judge how much money I spent each week (especially because I used credit cards mostly and did not receive the bills) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | STUDYING ABROAD IS EXPENSIVE BUT WORTH IT. I think I didn't realize the day-to-day expenses in general. And of course traveling gets expensive (paying for meals while traveling especially). The airfare is awesomely cheap and so are hostels. I think I just didn't realize all the little things that really rack up. Especially going out at night! Paying for drinks, cabs etc. I just had to keep remembering that this is an experience of a lifetime with what I was spending my money on. |
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? | DO IT. It will be the best decision of your life. And don't be shy!! I'm very shy around people I don't know and places I'm unsure of. But I really dove into the experience and seriously got so much out of it. Of course I was apprehensive and nervous about making friends. But I made the best friends of my life and had the best experiences. |
