A roller coaster, but I'm going to miss it! Past Review
By A student (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/10/2018 to 05/25/2018 with
University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned that it is hard to put yourself out there and make new friends after feeling settled into Junior year of college. Tea and biscuits are good -- they're good for making friends and good for taking a break. I learned more about myself, and I got to hear so many people's stories. It was worthwhile for sure!
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. |
I found the academic rigour to be similar to that of my home university, UT Austin, but slightly less intense during the course and slightly more intense during finals. Resources were similar, and courses varied by lecturer and intended grade-level. A major setback was the strikes occurring in the whole UK at the time due to pension cuts. I was not able to attend lecture for nearly half the course for a couple classes, and I felt that took away greatly from the academic experience. However, that likely won't happen again in the future. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration of the program was good -- not too much intervention, but I felt like I had the resources I would have needed from my personal tutor or other organisations in the case something did happen. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I really loved my time with my flatmates! It was great getting to know other students right from the start. At first, I thought seven people would feel crowded, but it was nice to make so many good, new friends. We spent a lot of time just hanging out in the flat making hot chocolate or baking, watching movies, and studying together. The only con would be distance from my flat to other people and a few of the buildings, but I got used to it. |
| * Food: |
I usually cooked for myself, but restaurants in the area were pretty good as well, a lot of variety! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The city and school were both very international. It wasn't hard at all to integrate. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick only once abroad, and I found it unfortunate that I didn't register for a GP/doctor -- would recommend doing that right away upon arrival! However, it was fine because they helped me out on the phone, and I couldn't have gone to the doctor anyway because of the rare snow storm. No prevalent health issues or special vaccines need for the UK. |
| * Safety: |
Edinburgh was incredibly safe. I didn't believe it at first, but as a female I never had a problem walking home late at night or on my own. The only advice people gave me was not to walk in the Meadows alone at night or around Lothian Road, Princes Street, or Gorgie. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really love the city -- Edinburgh is the perfect amount of city life, and I got to meet so many great people. It was such a good break from the ordinary, and I would definitely do it again. |
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) |
I would say a 3 of 5 for being able to live on a students budget (~$100/week) -- everything was a little more expensive that in the US. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | On average $100 depending if I was travelling or not |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook more, buy cheap plane tickets and housing if you travel |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 10+ |
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 wish I knew that it is okay to not do everything everyone else is doing, and it's okay to not travel all the time. I also wish I was reminded the effort it takes to put yourself out there and make friends. At first I felt obliged to always be active or travel or hang out with people. However, my experience was so much better once I made it my own, and spent time growing myself and bonding with others rather than thinking about if I was doing it "right". |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
