Scotland: The rain isn't that bad! Past Review

By (Marketing., Illinois State University) for

University of Stirling: Stirling - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was an amazing experience! I met some amazing people and I have memories that will last a lifetime. There are so many people in the world and the opportunity to get to know people from all kinds of backgrounds was a great experience. I went to Scotland to go to school for a semester but I ended up leaving with so much more than just credit hours.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The teaching style is very different from ISU. Limited course work and heavy emphasis on essay work is not something I am used to especially as a marketing major. The grading scale is also somewhat difficult to understand I will be very interested to see how the grades actually transfer. Also, there is a much much higher emphasis on independent study than there is at ISU.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I did not use their services often but they were helpful when needed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

While the living accommodations could use some updating they were adequate and the living situation was one of the best parts of the experience. I lived with local students as well as international students and I made friends that I will speak to well into the future. The living wasn't a dorm situation but it wasn't really an apartment either it was a cross between the two. Overall, I was very satisfied with the housing.

* Food:

We cooked all our own food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Overall, there were no issues.

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? Depending on the week anywhere from $100-$400. It really just depended on what we were doing and whether or not we were traveling. It was definitely possible to spend less but sometimes you just dont really think about it when you are out and about.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You will spend more than you plan to. There are so many opportunities and things you want to do and everything seems inexpensive at the time but it all adds up.

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?

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  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

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A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If you are considering Stirling be prepared to do a lot of independent work but at the end of the day its an amazing place to spend a semester and its definitely not all work and no play. Make the most of your opportunities and if you get the chance to do something do it and don't look back.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Empire to Europe: British 1914-1990

Course Department: HIS922
Instructor: Patrick Bell
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Overall an interesting course. The only difficulty was not having a lot of background knowledge about British history that British students seemed to have.
Credit Transfer Issues: Credits have not been transferred yet but so far no problems.
Course Name/Rating:

Texts and Contexts

Course Department: ENG912
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I did not like the course. The works that were examined didn't have a lot of interest for me in particular. Also, I struggle with being evaluated only on the basis of two pieces of course work.
Credit Transfer Issues: Credits have not been transferred yet but so far no problems.
Course Name/Rating:

Brain and Behaviour- Clinical Perspectives

Course Department: PSY9A4
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was interesting and I liked that the final exam was multiple choice. Overall, the course was far more difficult than what I would expect from a second year psychology course but the work load was manageable.
Credit Transfer Issues: Credits have not been transferred yet but so far no problems.