Scotland: Reasons Why I Still Haven't Left Past Review

By Katie S (Acting., Illinois State University) for

University of Stirling: Stirling - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

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

I am considering attending grad school now, just so I can have a reason to return to Europe. I have traveled before, but this just confirmed that I need to do it more. I have made the best friends here and I will never be content sitting in my room in the US again.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here:	N/A
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.	The workload was very easy and the idea of students doing the majority of learning made me feel like an actual adult in a prestigious university. The grading system was a bit confusing, even students who attend school here for 4 years have problems understanding it. However, all in all, there were times I felt like I was not at school at all, which would be ideal for a student abroad student who wants to spend more time exploring Europe than sitting in their room studying all the time.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	I did not really deal with the Host Country Program Administration, but when I did there really wasn't very much to judge on.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I got extremely lucky on my housing. I was put in one of the nicest dorms on campus and my neighbors were all great people. I got to know Americans, Scots, and other nationalities really well and we would all get a taxi or a bus to go into town. The only items I needed to buy were basic toiletries.
* Food:	Not to support the stereotype, but America just has more food to offer. Be prepared for smaller serving sizes and terrible sandwiches.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I made several trips with my good friends here. We went to the Czech Republic, Germany, and all over Scotland. However, this was all on our own time, money and planning abilities. Nothing was done by any of our programs.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Safety was fine. I did get very sick halfway through the program and was afraid to go to the doctor, but when I did they suggested I go to the infirmary. Once there, it took a long time to attend to me (but that happens in all countries) and when they let me go, it was completely free since they have universal care in the UK. That was a giant relief both to me and my family.
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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$100 at most
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Remember that you are going to spend more money, because the pound is higher than the dollar. And you WILL get charged for using your credit card and for withdrawing money from an ATM.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university?	Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Just do it. I don't care what the situation is, but if an opportunity to experience something new comes up, JUST DO IT.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Scottish History: Renaissance to Revolution
Course Department:	HIS 912
Instructor:	Alastair Mann
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The lecturers were very involved in their subject and kept a good eye on student attendance. I felt that I got the most out of this class.
Credit Transfer Issues:	N/A

Course Name/Rating:	Social Problems
Course Department:	SPC 9S2
Instructor:	Sarah Walker
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was a bit dry and it was difficult to understand, because there are many laws that do not match those in the US (or vice versa). I also felt like we would just re-learn subjects in seminars instead of adding to the education.
Credit Transfer Issues:	N/A

Course Name/Rating:	Mind, Value and Reality
Course Department:	PHI 9S2
Instructor:	Elaine Moore
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class was very difficult to go to, because a lot of the notes were just giant paragraphs of speech that the lecturers would read from. And, in seminars, a lot of our arguments would go unsolved, because that is the nature of philosophy.
Credit Transfer Issues:	N/A