Local Experience, International University June 26, 2024

By Annalise J (Architecture / Environmental Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/15/2024 to 05/01/2024 with

University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I think that I met a lot of great friends, local and international. I got to experience living independently in a new country, and explore the beauty of Scotland via bus, train, and bike. Continuing my academic path in a different cultural setting was worthwhile in looking at my studies with a different lens and optimism.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Course-load was well administered and organized. It was transparent what needed to get done by the end of the course before classes had even begun. Ample resources from library, tutors, and academic support staff.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Short welcome activities for students studying abroad, opportunities to meet other international students in social spaces administered by the University.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Great location, in central tourist district and walkable to and from the University buildings. 400 year old building, yet well maintained. Only drawback was a long walk to grocery shop.
* Food:	Self-catered
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Living in the heart of Edinburgh helped to instill a sense of closeness with the local culture, and meeting students of many backgrounds at the University helped in getting to know the student and local scene. Classes based in local history helped to familiarize myself with subject-based explorations of Edinburgh as a city, and richly storied community.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	No experience addressing health issues while abroad.
* Safety:	Edinburgh felt like a very safe place to walk and commute, at all times of the day and night. As a young woman I felt very comfortable walking back to my flat during the night, even from far distances.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No I would have gone into a study-abroad program, instead of direct enrollment. I enjoyed taking a variety of course, including those in the Edinburgh College of Art, and enjoyed the University of Edinburgh as a whole.

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)	Easy!
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$70

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 Other
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International 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?	Local Connections Good Student Support Staff Mixed Abroad and Regular - Enrollment in accommodations
* What could be improved?	Study Abroad orientation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I could've talked to someone who had done the program before at Middlebury to be more prepared for the adjustment to a bigger city and institution, and ask questions in general.

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 Avid Adventurer The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Poltics of the Welfare State
Course Department:	Social Sciences
Instructor:	Else Hinke
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: