Scotland Study Abroad : So Glad I Went! Past Review

By (Studio Arts, University of Wisconsin - Stout) for

Glasgow School of Art: Glasgow - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
100 % worth it. it just changes your life and your view on the world. allows you to really respect yourself for who you are and grow as a person. really broadens your horizons and you have so much more respect for people. you learn a lot about your self. gain a lot of self confidence. coming back was harder for me. being back at my home institution is harder then being over there.

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.

the workload was very managable for me because it was like being in one studio class and im used to taking 2-3 studio courses at stout. the system was very different because there are no class lists available. you choose a program and then that is what you do the whole time there. I really enjoyed it

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

well one of the lab attendents was very rude most of the time. but the other lab attendant was very nice and incredibly helpful. the facility could have been open later. the program size was perfect i felt. my expectations were met for the most part except i did feel that they were very disorganized when it came to the international students and just planning things in general.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

had to buy cookware and bring sheets. everything else was provided for the most part. pretty nice place. own shower and bedroom. shared the flat with 6 other girls. very accommodating and met my needs.

* Food:

basically could find the same foods over there as you can in the us.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

castles! lots and lots of amazing castles!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

i felt unbelievably safe the whole time during my stay in scotland. even out at night i felt very safe. the people there are so wonderful and nice. there were times when i felt more safe there then i do back home. i did have an experience with healthcare. had to go to the eye doctor. optician off the street at a pharmacy called boots. i recieved a full eye exam and met with a doctor all for free as long as i could provide an address that proved i was living in scotland at the time. the only thing i had to pay for were the eye drops.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50-125 pounds(GBP) for about every 1.5 to 2 weeks. depending on what food i needed to buy.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? the purchase of silver was confusing before i left. if you are an exchange student you dont pay the amount they tell you. you just pay for it as you use it.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • students
  • the work load
  • having multipule professors to go to instead of just one
* What could be improved?
  • organization
  • location
  • critiques
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? someone who knows what program and area of art you would like to emphasize in. have some background skills. the junior year is a perfect time to go. if you want to really challenge yourself i think going in spring would be a little harder. the programme seemed like it was going to be more difficult 2nd term/ semester.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

silversmithing and jewellry

Course Department:
Instructor: jonathan boyd
Instruction Language: english
Comments: i had the same dedication to my classes there as i do at home. he teachers were very knowledgeable but could have been a little more helpful at times.
Credit Transfer Issues: i have not done my credit transfers yet.