Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best four months of my life Past Review

By (Washington University in Saint Louis) - abroad from 09/07/2016 to 12/21/2016 with

Arcadia: Edinburgh - Scottish History

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and Scotland and also the rest of Europe (I travelled most weekends) and it was the best four months of my life. I wish I was staying the rest of the year.

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.

I think it would have been more helpful if there had been more resources. When I had trouble with my assignments, I had to rely on my friends for help -- there were no TA hours or office hours offered.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful and friendly -- when I was robbed in Barcelona, Hamish was extremely helpful in helping me out with the incident and made himself available outside of normal office hours. I am really grateful for his concern and assistance.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My dorm was in a good location and I am generally happy with the amenities of the flat, however the street (Cowgate) was often very noisy late at night making it hard to fall asleep.

* Food:

I was not on a meal plan so I did cooking on my own.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was able to make friends with some of the local students through classes and mutual friends, but I lived with all American study abroad students which I felt wasn't as ideal as if I had lived with at least one local student.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare was easily accessible (I went to a free clinic) but there was a very long wait to get an appointment.

* Safety:

I felt very safe during my time in Edinburgh.

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

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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 advisors were helpful and available when we needed them but we were mostly on our own and independent in our lives as students there
* What could be improved?
  • orientation -- more organic ways to meet the other students in the program (through trips to Arthur's Seat or more dinners together or other ways to explore Edinburgh while getting to know more people in the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't travel every weekend -- at the very least take every third weekend off to enjoy and relax in Edinburgh

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.