Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning amidst history February 09, 2024

By (Geography, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/07/2023 to 12/22/2023 with

Arcadia: Edinburgh - Scottish History

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a great deal about Scottish history, and the relationship of the culture to the land. I learned how to live independently in a foreign city, and to meet people with very different backgrounds from myself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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:

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The city and location
  • The classes
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • activities more accessible
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The importance of studying local history to understand the present

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Conceptualising Scotland
Course Department: Scottish Studies
Instructor: Dr Willow Mullins et al
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was challenging, and comparable to a Middlebury course. The topic - Scottish national identity - allowed us to engage with the place where we were studying, and provided an understanding of the culture and environment around us. The course was taught by Dr Mullins, and occasional guest lecturers, and they were all knowledgeable and well-prepared. I was assessed based on papers and discussions, which were rewarding and challenging, and often longer than the usual paper length required at Middlebury. The grading also appeared to be more difficult.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have not been able to transfer credit yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Celtic Civilisation 1A, Barbarians, Saints and Scholars
Course Department: Celtic Studies
Instructor: Dr Kate Mathis and Dr Duncan Sneddon
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was both challenging and interesting, and provided a background on the history and culture of Scotland and the Celtic world. The readings were extremely interesting. The instructors were knowledgeable and well-prepared. Assessments were papers of varying lengths, discussions and an exam. The grading appeared to be more difficult than at Middlebury.
Credit Transfer Issues: Credit has not yet been transferred.
Course Name/Rating:

Economic and Political Geography
Course Department: Geography
Instructor: Dr Mary Lawhon and additional instructors
Instruction Language:
Comments: This course was challenging, with excellent lectures from Dr Lawhon and other instructors. The material covered contributed significantly to my understanding of geography, which is my major. I participated roughly the same amount as I would at Middlebury. We were assessed based on papers and discussions, including independent study and papers on topics of our choice that linked to the course.
Credit Transfer Issues: Credit has not yet been transferred.