I can honestly say that I loved every moment and was always inspired to work harder Past Review
By Courtney R (English/Literature, Tulane University) for
University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I lived completely independently. I had an apartment with wonderful flatmates, did my own grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning. I could walk anywhere I wanted to go. I could travel the world with my friends - Europe was right at our back door. It was the most freeing experience I have ever had.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There was a very large variety in the courses offered. All the courses sounded so interesting and so unique. For example they had New Zealand Literature or Victorian Comedy. The teachers were all top in their field and so captivating in their discussions with the class. The professors also expect a lot from their students. Students are treated as independent adults and capable theorists. They expect the students to do outside research for every paper and are also encouraged to do so before class. However hard it may be though, it is still possible to receive an A in a class, and it will be an A well earned. The University of Edinburgh has an English Department ranked 19th worldwide and 3rd in the UK, so it is an honor to be in such a prestigious program. I can honestly say that I loved every moment and was always inspired to work harder. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Any time I had a concern or a problem that needed to be corrected, the administration always replied straight away and fixed the problem with record speed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a university owned apartment building which is the norm. I lived on South Clerk street where I was right next to the Meadows - a beautiful and expansive park with cherry blossom trees - with a view of Arthur's Seat in the distance. My bedroom window looked out onto a beautiful gardent with a pond and chickens that would run around and cluck all day. On my block I had a variety of little food stores, a Blockbuster, a chocolate store, a hair salon, and a Papa John's. My flatmates were wonderful and we are all still great friends. I lived with three girls who were Canadian, French, and English. |
| * Food: |
British food is typically too greasy and rather bland. But the asian, italian, and middle eastern restaurants were all really good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The International Student Center sponsored trips around Scotland every weekend which were really enjoyable. I went on a tour of the highlands and spent the night in a castle with friends where we had a ceilidh (traditional country dance). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The healthcare system is just not up to American standards. Often, getting in to see a doctor or getting the right medical evaluation was frustrating. |
| 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 probably spent about $200 a week because I spent a lot of money at Starbucks and I would also go out a lot during the week with friends as well as attend ballets, plays, operas, and musicals. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The clothes there are way more expensive than what I would find in New Orleans in the shopping mall. Just bring all the clothes you think you would need so that you can avoind having to buy too much there. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I went for a year. A semester is too short and everyone I spoke to who was only studying abroad for a semester wished they could have stayed the year. You will fall in love with it. |
