Adventures in Edinburgh Past Review
By A student (psychology/ religious studies, Cornell University) - abroad from 09/10/2011 to 05/27/2012 with
University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I definitely thought this experience was worthwhile. I not only proved to myself that I could live in a brand new city for a year on my own, but I also gained independence through traveling and planning
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload was significantly lighter and there was much less class time. I enjoyed learning from a new perspective and discussing ideas with people from different backgrounds. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Study abroad students were encouraged to live in first-year university housing. I would recommend trying to find a flat with other students instead. |
| * Food: |
As a vegetarian, Scottish cuisine was not my favorite, but they do have excellent chips and cheese! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The university has numerous societies for a wide array of interests, and the city itself has many events and festivals that are easy to get involved in |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never went to my school's healthcare services, but my friends who did seemed happy with them |
| * Safety: |
As with any city, there are certain areas to avoid alone at night, but overall I felt extremely safe in Edinburgh. |
| 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) |
Managing finances in Edinburgh was definitely a challenge because a) most forms of entertainment cost money and b) the exchange rate between the dollar and the pound was not very favorable |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Check out the charity shops for used clothes and stores like Poundland for various housing goods. There's also at least two H&M's on Princes Street that tend to have awesome sale racks. |
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? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | Force yourself to go to as many events as possible and meet lots of new people in the first few weeks. Although there is a lot less work for classes, you have to learn to budget your time or else you'll suddenly be swamped. |
