Panrimo: Scotland Study Abroad - Stirling University Past Review
By A student (Marketing, Saginaw Valley State University) - abroad from 07/10/2015 to 08/08/2015 with
University of Stirling: Stirling - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned that life hands you moments, and that it is up to you to make the most of them. Scotland handed me some of the most memorable moments of my life, and if I could do it all over again I'd do it exactly the same. This was the best experience of my life to date, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people, travel and see beautiful places, and make memories that I will carry with me long after this program.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Four weeks is hard to find enough time to learn everything, but I gained alot from my Marketing & Branding and Green Politics courses during my team here! The professors were passionate, well informed, and really cared about us as students and individuals. I felt at home in the classroom here, and there's alot I can take home to apply to my programs. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Stirling staff were nothing but hospitable, something that seems quite common in Scotland. I never felt like I couldn't reach out to them for anything. Without their guidance there's no way my travels around the UK would have been as successful as they were. There's some great people here at Stirling! But please don't let me forget to mention Toby, my Panrimo contact in Edinburgh. Though I only had the opportunity to meet with Toby on two separate occasions I was thoroughly impressed with how kind and genuine he is. Toby made my stay here that much better, and me to dinner in Edinburgh to catch up and meet the interns was definitely a highlight of the trip. He's passionate about what he does and genuinely loves people, something that can be quite hard to come by in today's world. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It's a dorm room, but that's what college students are used to right? I have no complaints here! The flats were cozy, clean and a nice place to stay and interact with all the other students in the program. Be wary, sometimes the fire alarm goes off early in the morning for trial runs (or if someone burns their bacon) and it can catch you off guard. Other than that it was great, I would most definitely stay again! |
| * Food: |
You have to buy the vast majority of your food for this program and grocery shop, but once you get the bus system down it's not that expensive at all. If you're used to U.S. food then be ready for less preservatives, meaning your food will go bad quickly if not consumed. Just another reason to enjoy and eat, right? Do yourself a favor and buy groceries but don't hesitate in going out and experienced what Scotland's local restaurants have to offer. There's some wonderful food in this country, my favorite most likely being the Fish & Chips at Tail End in St. Andrews and the Signature burger at Bread Meats Bread in Glasgow. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt at home in Scotland, there's no other way to put it. After spending only four weeks here I don't want to leave. You'll meet so many amazing people in your journeys and I promise that your life will never be the same after this experience. Enjoy each and every second with your program friends, but don't be afraid to put yourself out there and interact with UK residents. Try new things, be open to new ideas and try to understand the history of this beautiful country. You can never learn to much, and you can never meet enough people. Those are the things that last forever. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health issues on this trip (okay maybe I did get sick after hiking Ben Nevis in the freezing rain, but it was worth it). No major health issues that is, but my friend accidentally fractured her leg while being here and they took care of things for her. Now this was a very unlucky circumstance as she just slipped, but it is comforting to know that she didn't have any major complications in getting treatment. |
| * Safety: |
With a very low crime rate Scotland always felt very safe to me. I spent alot of late nights walking around Stirling, as well as other cities in the UK and I never once felt threatened. It's a safe place! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
It is an expensive country, but this is coming from someone who had no problem purchasing souvenirs, meals out to eat, extra travel expenses, food and drinks. If you're relatively efficient at budgeting you should have no problem at all! Just don't get carried away. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $500 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It depends how much you have to spend, but for me I decided to not hesitate on traveling and enjoying all that money could buy me while I was here (in moderation). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? |
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? | Make the most of every single second, you won't regret it! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
