Studying abroad in Scotland: a semester of making new friends and traveling January 30, 2026
By A student (International Relations and Political Science, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/15/2025 to 12/11/2025 with
University of St. Andrews: St. Andrews - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
This experience was totally worthwile, I made several new friends, learned to live alone without a built in support system, traveled a lot and learned more about myslef.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I enjoyed my time at St Andrews from an academic and social perspective. From an academic perspective the intensity depends on how you want to shape your study abroad experience. All my lectures were recoreded and my tutorials which took place once a week were deeply engaging. The tutors and profs were very understanding and engaging. From a social perspective, the uni offers a range of societies and clubs to join. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Study abroad office was very helpful. They help me get into all of my classes abroad and were helpful during the first week. However, I wish there were more efforts to bring the study abroad students together in the first week. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in an ensuite apartment 15 min from the centre and my classes. There was a bus from the accommodation that ran frequently (free with a young scots card). However, this was not my first choice, and wished I lived a bit closer to the town centre |
| * Food: |
The food provided through the meal plan was not great. There are a few decent restaurants and cafes in town which are good substitutes. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt pretty integrated within the local community through my time there, |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Don't fall sick. The NHS is not very welcoming if you are there for less than 6 months. There was a long wait and I had to call multiple practitioners before being seen. The pharmacy at boots is helpful. I did not ask the program to assist me. |
| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe at Andrews. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had an amazing time and St Andrews, and there are so many memories, traditions, and events that I want to relive. |
Finances
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* 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) |
The town is on the pricy end. So if you are planning to go to cafes, pubs, and travel budget accordingly. |
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
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew where the dorms were located so I could have requested for something closer to the town. Additonally, I wish I had golfed earliar |
