Loved Scotland, but St. Andrews was a little disappointing Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

St. Andrews was very academically rigorous and offered many interesting classes across every major. I honestly had a hard time choosing my classes because there were so many interesting options. However, the school's resources and some of the professor were a bit disappointing. In general, professors had little contact with students. While one of my professors was phenomenal and very engaged with his students, the other treated the entire class as a nuisance and often made insulting comments about our intelligence and/or work. Accessing periodicals/other research materials was also very difficult due to the relatively small size of the St. Andrews library to the student body. However, overall it was a positive experience and I learned a lot relevant to my major. The St. Andrews students in my classes were also fantastic and were an absolute plus in my experience. Collaboration on work is much more common at St. Andrews, and the other students would always come very prepared with interesting material to discuss at study sessions. However - just a word of warning - don't expect the same level of engagement and respect from professors/the administration that you get at Middlebury.

On-site administration of your program

The study abroad office at St. Andrews was pretty understaffed - there are only three people working there. While they were all very nice and sought to help where the could, they seemed overwhelmed and didn't really do anything to help with our transition into life at St. Andrews except during the first 2-3 days. The other administrators at St. Andrews were also pretty disengaged and dismissive of student. I didn't interact with them too much (though I know some abroad students who did), but the few times that I did it was a very unpleasant experience and usually unhelpful.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in David Russell Apartments, which were very nice apartment style dorms about a 20 minute walk from town and the main part of campus. My room was large and new, and I loved the social aspect of the flats - my flatmates are some of the best/closest friends that I have from abroad. My one complaint is that it was very far from campus and town, which made things a lot more difficult (especially coming in mid-year) in terms of adjusting. I think it would be better if study abroad students weren't put in David Russell given how much further away it is, but with the exception of the distance I thought it was great.

Scottish food, so it was pretty heavy and so-so. There was also enough though and a good variety at the dining hall, which was really conveniently located. No Middlebury, but bad at all for a semester

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The majority of my friends from St. Andrews are either English or Scottish, and there were lots of events/trips that allowed you to immerse yourself in the local culture. I attended a ceilidh (traditional Scottish dance) my first week in St. Andrews, which was a great introduction to Scotland and a blast.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

St. Andrews is probably one of the safest places you could go abroad. There was essentially no crime and I never felt unsafe, regardless of the time of day or night.

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

Other than grocery expenses (lunch wasn't included in the meal plan) and bus fare, living in St. Andrews wasn't too expensive and you could definitely get by not spending too much.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students

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• Local Students
• Americans

• The Students
• Scotland
• The opportunty to travel

• St. Andrews Administration
• Class selection process