Windy and Wonderful Scotland Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

As with professors and classes anywhere some were amazing while others were lackluster. Most professors were easily accessible outside of class and willing to help. Workload is much lighter than at William and Mary but this maybe an unfair assessment since I took classes in different subjects while there. I am a government major at William and Mary, but I took Geology and Geography classes while there. The geology class was also very time intensive but had more emphasis on hands on componants than classroom lectures. The geography classes were lighter in workload, although more difficult for me because I choose to take upper level courses with heavy scienctific emphasis (chemistry, oceanography) etc. We have more work to turn in, while UK system just have grade fully dependent on final exam and one project.

On-site administration of your program

It was somewhat poorly organized...my professors had no idea how study abroad students were suppose to be assessed, when I could take my exams etc. They gave me alternative assignments and deadliness, then a few weeks prior to that time, the administration informed me (and the profesors) that all early assessments had to be done in a specific manner according to department guideline. Basically they overwhelmed and suprised me with two additional exams in a short period of time. The administration is frustrating to work with. Also matriculation instructions was a mess. No one, including the freshman there, knew what was going on. They threw a bunch of information and disjoint emails and checklists at us with tad bits of information everywhere but no comprehensive easy to understand directions. Living in the freshers dorm and seeing how the St. Andrews students reacted made it worth the hassle. Everyone had a good laugh not knowing what was going on. Basically it was the blind leading the blind. The instructions also did not specify what study abroad students should do/need to do differently from St. Andrews freshers. We were all given the same information so it was very confusing. But the students and the community there made up for the admin's shortcomings. Older students were more than willing to lend a hand and help out. My time there also made me miss our incredible facilities here, mainly the rec center and Swem.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Although my dorm was nicknamed the "poorman's dorm" I was incredibly satisified with it. It was far from everything except the driving range but this built an incredible sense of community in the dorm. I left knowing pretty much everyone there and have continued to keep in touch with my hallmates. Andrew Melville Hall is in an incredibly safe and beautiful but windy area. It is not pretty in itself, especially compared to the other castle like dorms, but Melvillites take pride in our sinking diaster (the building was inspired by two crashing ships). You need to buy cookware for weekends and sheets/bedding.

I choose to get a meal plan in order to make friends and bond with my hallmates. It worked so I don't regret it but the honest truth is that other than the social aspect, the meal plan is overpriced and mediocre at best (in taste and health reasons). It is meat and potatoes most of the time, and tons of greasy fatty foods like pastries, sausage rolls etc. You will hate potatos when you return. They have much fewer options than we do here and one or two lines for the entire dorm, so often by the time you get there, the salad bar is completely picked dry. The meal times are also very limiting. I was not used to being told to be at breakfast at 8, lunch at 12:45 and dinner at 5:45. It was strange to lose that autonomy I've had for so long and at first felt like I was at summer camp, but it grows on you. Very difficult to work with if you have classes at lunchtime. I had to switch class in order to not be fed their "packed lunch" which is leftover egg salad in a roll most of the time, with a bottle of water, an apple, and a granola bar. Meal plan is worth the social aspect and bond you get with the rest of the students but nothing else.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did not do anything arranged by the program but was very very active on campus. I was involved with 5 activities regularly so had plenty to do. The balls, parties, field trips, etc organized by the hall alone was enough to keep me busy, but I also had all the events and concerts organized by the student union and other student activities.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Scotland's National Healthcare system is great. No complaints. Their 24 hour phone line and speedy response is great. No vaccines needed.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Dorm

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• Americans
• International Students
• Local Students

• Students
• Amazing Geology department
• Environment on campus

• Food
• Admin communication, clear instructions for study abroad students