A trip of a lifetime! Amazing people, amazing culture! Past Review

By Taylor A (Journalism., Central Michigan University) - abroad from 06/15/2013 to 07/13/2013 with

University of Stirling: Stirling - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

One of the biggest skills I gained through my travels is my ability to adapt. I know how to adapt to different surroundings, communicate through language barriers and interact with different cultures. The ability to adapt is so important in a work environment.

Review Photos

University of Stirling: Stirling - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Rooms were plenty big for one person, I liked having my own bedroom but still sharing the flat with four other people. The kitchen was plenty stocked for cooking my meals.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:	Grocery shopping was a pain and it was hard to eat healthy.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Loved it, by the second night out we were all one with the locals.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Health care is free over there! Small fees for prescriptions but easy to access and utilize.
* Safety:	Stirling was totally safe, even coming back from downtown at 2 in the morning, I never felt unsafe. The locals were friendly and always willing to help.
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)	No, but it was my doing! Planned a trip to London and it was a very expensive city. If I wouldn't have gone I would have had no problem keeping a modest budge--Stirling is a very affordable town.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Make a budget and stick to it, even if it means opting out of some things. Try and find a happy medium between experiencing things while you're there and not draining your savings account.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
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?	Location Excursions Courses
* What could be improved?	Immersion
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I would have known how life changing this experience was going to be. Studying abroad is so much different than just traveling to another country. You eventually become one of the locals and it makes leaving that place that much harder. If I had known what a fantastic time I was going to have, I would have chosen to study for a full semester.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Religion and Conflict
Course Department:	Religion
Instructor:	Frances Stewart
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The topics we discussed were so interesting. We talked about issues such as the Israel/Palestine conflict, 9/11 and the troubles in Northern Ireland. It was interesting hearing about both sides of each argument and I loved hearing about 9/11 from a British perspective. My teacher grew up in Belfast during the time of the troubles in Northern Ireland so I couldn't have had a more knowledgeable person teaching me about those conflicts.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No trouble transferring this course back.