Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

St Andrews - Posh, Pretty, Perfect Past Review

By (Anthropology/Archaeology, The College of William and Mary) - abroad from 02/01/2012 to 05/26/2012 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I always rolled my eyes when people would say that "study abroad is a life changing experience", "you make life long friends", etc. But it's true. Every word of it. Studying abroad gives you a type of clean slate. This is your chance to grow as a person and change without the influence of close friends or peers. Normally being a shy person, studying abroad was a chance for me to open up, express myself in ways that I wouldn't have done before, and just act differently (i.e. dancing like a fool, taking risks, staying up until 3 AM). I also learned that little things will absoltely go wrong. And being a person that must have everything go according to plan, this was hard for me to accept at first. However, I learned thatlife is so much more fun and exciting when you don't know exactly what's around the corner. Absolutely studying abroad is worthwhile. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat and I wouldn't change a thing about it.

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? Yes

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? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? There are a lot of take away places around St Andrews...and since you don't get dinner in halls on the weekends, these are great ways to save a little on food! Also, RyanAir and Jet2 are great cheap airlines to consider when planning trips. HostelWorld as well is a great resource for finding accommodations when travelling.

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • People
  • Location
  • Accent!
* What could be improved?
  • Amount of interaction with actual Scottish people
  • Course layouts
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Everyone says that there are a lot of Americans in St Andrews and that it's not very Scottish. Just be aware that there are many English people and Americans there and that you'll have to make an effort to find Scottish students and experience true Scottish culture. However, it is very easy to travel around Scotland from St Andrews, you just have to make it happen!