Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It was absolutely amazing and life-changing! Past Review

By (Trinity University) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 05/28/2016 with

Arcadia: Glasgow - University of Glasgow

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of knowledge about how to interact with people not from my culture as well as how to travel in the easiest way possible. I learned that public transportation is amazing and something I wish we had more of here. I also realized that you can't be afraid to travel anywhere or do anything or try any food because every experience was necessary and worthwhile.

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.

I really enjoyed experiencing classes in a different country. The way the classes were taught was completely different from here and although they may have not been for me, it was a great experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administrators of the program were based in Edinburgh and so we didn't get a lot of chances to interact with them unless we went to other program events. All of the staff seemed really nice and were very helpful, but it was unfortunate that the students attending the university in Edinburgh got to know them better than anyone in Glasgow did.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing was clean and not to far from the university so I could walk to my classes. I was staying in the student flats at Winton Drive which need to be updated in the form of kitchen appliances, but otherwise I had a great stay in the student housing.

* Food:

I didn't eat anything in Scotland that I didn't love!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

By taking course that had to do with the cultural history, I felt like I got to know a lot more about it and was able to integrate better into it. By the second week I was there, I had people ask me for directions many times and I could get around the city and surrounding areas by myself so I felt like a local in that instance.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I didn't have any problems with safety in Glasgow at all but I did hear a few stories from students who were staying in the student flats at Murono about some sketchy things in that area.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I had an amazing time in Scotland so I couldn't imagine going anywhere else and overall, I was pretty happy with Arcadia. The University of Glasgow was stunning and the classes I took were really cool. I wouldn't change anything about my time abroad except to stay longer.

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)

I didn't really have any problems with expenses if I bought my food from a certain grocery store and watched how much i spent on just regular shopping, eating out and other miscellaneous things. The only thing is, I could see how it might be hard for some students to travel around other places during their time abroad on a student budget. I managed pretty well and got to do almost everything that I wanted to in the form of traveling, but I would recommend that if someone wants to travel a lot they plan for that in advance.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It varied from £50-75 a week (more if I traveled)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The program helps you out a lot with a rail-card that gets you a 1/3 off the original prices of train tickets, etc. Make sure you use this and any other things Arcadia gives you!!!

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
  • 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?
  • Glasgow
  • How hands off it was
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • Maybe have more people based in Glasgow from the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Black pudding is amazing so don't turn your nose up at it the first time just because it sounds gross!

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.