Scotland: never lost, always an adventure Past Review
By Brenna G (Elementary Education, Illinois State University) for
University of Stirling: Stirling - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Being independent and learning how the world works from 4,000 miles away from what I'm used to. Best 4 months of my life... I'd go back in a second (if I had any money left).
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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. |
Lectures are twice a week, an hour each. Maximum number of classes taken is 3 (5 credits each). Most classes will have a tutorial once a week which are small meeting groups with your classmates to catch up on lectures, which are mandatory for participation grade. The first month will be no work for the most part, but then after that there will be a lot of essay writing. Grading can be tough, however, for ISU students, grades transfer back one grade higher. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Alexander Court, which was nice but was about a 15 minute walk to classes. There are other closer dorms on campus, so I'd suggest picking one of those so you don't have to walk so much. Pillow and Sheets are provided for you, and you get new ones every 2 weeks. you can buy cookware in town and share with roommates. To go into town for nightlife, a bus there is 90p with your ID. Buses stop running at midnight, so you can take a cab back to campus for around 8 pounds, which, if you are in a van full of people may only cost you 1 pound. |
| * Food: |
Food is very good... lots of chips! they come with almost every meal. Good places in town to eat: Morrisons Cold Beer Company, Drouthy Neebor, TASTEBUDZ (open until 2am- good drunk food). There's also a good fish&chips place in the Bridge of Allan. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
all the traveling- London for the Royal Wedding, Paris, Italy, Dublin/Ireland. Meeting new friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Always felt safe, and was even able to walk by myself at night without feeling uncomfortable. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | depends on eating out or in. Out- meals are usually around 10 pounds, which is about $16. In- a trip to Tesco can last for a few weeks, and my cheapest one was around 14 pounds, or $23. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | gym membership- 60 pounds |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Learn to be independent and comfortable with it. Don't be afraid of new experiences |
