Scotland: Beautiful Scenery and Fun People Past Review
By Lauren B (Political Science, Trinity University) for
Arcadia: Stirling - University of Stirling
I loved meeting lots of new people and learning about where they came from and how it impacted their world views. I loved traveling around Scotland and seeing the Highlands. It hasn't changed my academic interest and future plans.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Loved being in Scotland, but the Uni itself was not very confusing and classes were not challenging |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
HOST COUNTRY Program Administration were Americans in Scotland, knowledgeable about US higher education, but not on Scottish |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Didn't eat local food, only international and my cooking |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
3 day homestay in Stirling, gave us time to explore Edinburgh |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Healthcare system in Scotland was terrible- worst part of study abroad experience, medical professionals refuse to address issues- for myself and friends, my roommate had been throwing up 24hrs and was not lucid and they wouldn't take her to Emergency room, so we took her in a taxi and we waited 4 hrs in waiting room before they took her back; I was very sick 2 months while I was there because I couldn't get an antibiotics prescription for a sinus infection |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 45 pounds/ week for food, 8 pounds/ week for transportation; depended on the week; would spend about 120 pounds for a weekend trip |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | we had metered electricity in the flat |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Stirling is one of the most beautiful places in Scotland, and I would highly recommend it; Arcadia was fine- had very little interaction with them after the initial homestay and orientation; would be a good program for someone who wants to do things more on their own |
