Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A challenging, but worthwhile experience Past Review

By (Hamilton College) - abroad from 01/05/2015 to 05/22/2015 with

Arcadia: Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Although at points, study abroad can be daunting or even terrifying, this experience has made me more confident, it taught me how to spend time by myself, and helped me become a 'real adult.'

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Courses, even Honors courses, are much less rigorous than their American counterparts. Courses generally have two major assignments, which makes for a great deal of stress, but workload, if managed correctly, is incredibly manageable.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Dorms are nice, recently renovated. However, international students typically live with local freshmen students, who seem a little too 'party crazy.' There's a big difference between the lifestyles of 18 year old freshmen and 21+ year old upperclassmen.

* Food:

You don't come to the UK for the 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:

An amazingly safe city.

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)

The pound makes the USD look weak.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Meeting new people
  • Trying new things
* What could be improved?
  • Co-curricular activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Scotland's weather is atrocious. There is very little sunlight during the winter months and it is routinely cold, wet, and windy.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!