Scotland: Wonderful school experience Past Review
By Haley L (Early Childhood Education, University of Wisconsin - Stout) for
University of Wisconsin - Stout: Traveling - Global Perspectives in Education
Yes, my experience was definetly worthwhile. There could have been changes along the way to make it better but I'm not complaining. I gained a greater understanding of the school system in Europe compared to the States. I got to see the other side of the world and meet some great people. I'm so glad I went. I feel like a more well-rounded person, and that I understand how things work in a different country. I feel connected to both Scotland and Ireland in a way now and I actually care about their country now. I really liked Europe- I would definetly go back!
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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. |
Our homework now starts when we get back. It is going smoothly, I have never taken an online class before though so I wish my professors would email me and tell me exactly what to do! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything was fairly organized and at all sites that we studied abroad at we were able to get in right away. When we went to Paris, we were supposed to find our hotel by ourselves so we took the plane to a train to a taxi to the hotel we were staying it which was very scary. I felt unsafe in a foreign country that didn't speak my first language and I was suprised our group leaders trusted us that much to find our way through Paris! The program size was decent. We all looked after each other and became like family. My expectations were met. I'm glad I went on the program, it was worth it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
When we were in Scotland we stayed in a Palace with other Wisconsin students studying abroad. Everyone was very kind and the lady that worked there was very kind to us too. Everything we needed was provided for us which was nice. At Paris we stayed in a hotel. We were only there for three days, but the guy at the front desk of the hotel was very, very kind to us and helped us when we needed it. In Ireland we stayed in a flat at the college campus UCC. It was awesome! We were provided with everything we needed as well and again the staff was very nice to us. |
| * Food: |
In Scotland there is a place called Gregg's and it has wonderful cheap snack food. It's so good, I would reccommend going there. In Paris there was a stand not far from the hotel where we had crepe's and pinin's that were huge and a good price too. I would recommend trying new things to future students! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We worked in the schools in Scotland which was SO FUN!! I loved every minute of it. The kids were great and the teachers at my school were so inviting and accepting. That is what I miss most about the trip. It was so memberable. We went site seeing a lot. Seeing the coast of Ireland was my second favorite. It was so beautiful. I wish we could have gone swimming while we were there, but I guess the weather wasn't that good. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Scotland was a very safe place and so was Ireland. There wasn't any times that I can remember that I felt unsafe - besdies walking through a dark alley around nighttime. I never went out around nighttime so I think that played a big factor in my safety. I felt like Paris was very unsafe. I was told that people pick pocket you so I was always on the look out for that. Near the iffle tower there are guys that sell things and get up in your face asking you to buy it, and that was scary for me. They wouldn't leave us alone! I saw lots of drunk and homeless people, which was sad, but also kind of uneasy for me because you never know if that person is going to try and hurt you. I did not need any vaccines for this program. A girl on our trip had to go to the hospital for a medical condition and they were very nice to her and didn't even make her pay! In Scotland, health care is free for all. They are willing to give health care to people who need it and don't turn away from people- which was so awesome and nice. I have motion sickness so I got dizzy on every plane ride and bus tour, but I ended up buying pills for it. But my leaders were very nice to me when I was not feeling well. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
In France, they spoke French which was a challenging language barrier. I could only say hello and thank you in their language. I was suprised to see how many people spoke English and French, but it was unsetteling knowing that if we got lost we couldn't really ask for help and expect to find our way back. Overall, it was fine but I would not want to go to a country that spoke a different language the whole time because it's really challenging! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be extremely flexible and take the lead! There needs to be a leader on this trip within the students when the faculty is not around. Expect to go places on your own and don't be afraid to ask for directions! Also, remember to bring your computer! You will most likely want it. That is one thing I wish I would have brought. |
