Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Expensive, Isolated But Familiar Past Review

By (History And English, The College of William and Mary) - abroad from 01/27/2012 to 05/04/2012 with

University of St. Andrews: St. Andrews - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I could have tried to put myself out there more, as I'm not naturally very outgoing, and that limited my enjoyment of daily life in a new place. However, I don't regret going, as I got to do some great things.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* 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? No

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $140

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
  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Breakaway Society
  • Traveling during spring break
  • The class schedule was relaxed, but the academic standard was high.
* What could be improved?
  • The dorm I was in was very isolated from the main town/university area.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How "posh" the university & town was. I couldn't do anything, even locally, without feeling like I was hemorrhaging money.