Great friends and an experience I'll never forget in sunny Scotland! Past Review

By (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The College of Wooster) - abroad from 05/26/2013 to 06/22/2013 with

Adelante: Edinburgh - Equine Summer Program in Scotland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Living somewhere for a longer period of time is very different from going on vacation. I learned how to become comfortable in an environment and culture that is different than mine in many ways. I made a lot of great friends and

Review Photos

Adelante: Edinburgh - Equine Summer Program in Scotland Photo Adelante: Edinburgh - Equine Summer Program in Scotland Photo Adelante: Edinburgh - Equine Summer Program in Scotland Photo Adelante: Edinburgh - Equine Summer Program in Scotland Photo Adelante: Edinburgh - Equine Summer Program in Scotland Photo

Personal Information

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 classes were very informative and I learned a lot in only three weeks. I did not feel extremely challenged, but then again its not always easy to sit inside and focus when you're in a beautiful place like Scotland.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Our instructors were absolutely wonderful. They were very accommodating and helpful and the college found a way to allow us to do just about anything we wanted to.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The rooms were nice but the beds weren't very comfortable and the bathrooms were tiny. This sounds silly, but the sinks were so small it was almost impossible to get your face close enough to wash it without getting water everywhere.

* Food:

Although there was salad available at every meal, the options were not very healthy. We usually had to eat again a couple hours after meals because they were not very sustaining. Also, the packed lunches were quite unappetizing.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We had a lot of different cultural experiences and learned a lot about Scotland's traditions and slang words and things like that. Also, we became friends with some of the Scottish students at the college and had a great time hanging out with them.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We had no health issues.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe.

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)

It all depends on how much you personally choose to spend. If you decide to go out 4 nights per week and buy yourself drinks at the pub, it will definitely add up. However, there really weren't any expenses other than going out or if you wanted to buy yourself coffee and snacks. The staff was very aware and helpful about trying to minimize expenses.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-$120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't use your credit/debit card all the time because your bank will charge you fees every time you use it. It is cheaper to withdraw larger amounts from an ATM and just use cash.

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

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The staff/students
  • The day trips and activities
  • The horses
* What could be improved?
  • The food
  • The bathrooms
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing!

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'