Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An invaluable experience that taught me so much about myself! March 06, 2023

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/11/2022 to 12/21/2022 with

University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and who I am. You have to dig deep when you are thrown into a completely foreign environment for an extended period of time.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The University of Edinburgh's academics pales in comparison to Middlebury College's. The workload is far lighter than Middlebury's but you will not receive the same care and compassion as at Middlebury. My lecturers were particularly dry and dull. They did not engage in the classroom or seem to care about what they taught.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Try not to live in Pollock halls! Full of freshman and not integrated into the rest of the city.

* Food:

I enjoyed the dining hall in Pollock a fair amount.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The program gave me what I needed: Some credits I could use back home and a lovely city experience.

Finances

* 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)

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • The people
  • The architecture
  • The night life
* What could be improved?
  • international student meetup groups
  • Wanted advertised events for students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't live in pollock because its too isolated from the rest of the city and don't spend time making friends with freshmen. They are far too immature compared to juniors and seniors.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Trade, development, and Inequality
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Soledad Giardili
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I had to teach the entire course to myself. Given, it was the first time this course was taught. But, nevertheless, the course was taught poorly.
Credit Transfer Issues: