Past Review

By (Neuroscience and Behavior, Vassar College) for

IFSA: Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My abroad experience was absolutely worth it. I had such a fantastic time throughout my entire time in Scotland. Spending this much time in another country truly forces you to become more independent and evaluate the way you perceive and approach your understanding of one's role as an American in the international community. Going abroad has given me life-skills I could not have obtained otherwise.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months
The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I thoroughly enjoyed all my classes and professors and feel as though I really learned a lot academically. I found that the workload at University of Edinburgh was very low compared to what I receive in the United States. I spent about 20% of the time I spent studying in the US to obtain comparable grades, though this is mainly due to the fact that each class was evaluated based on a single final exam rather than weekly assignments or papers. Students here are, nonetheless, expected to understand the material as the course moves forward, even if there is no immediate evaluation. This gives a lot of academic flexibility, but also makes it difficult if you have trouble self-motivating.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very good. They were knowledgeable and, easy to talk to and contact. Had an extensive orientation to acclamate myself with the country. You could tell they had done this many times before quite successfully.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Though most people are given singles in the dorms, I was given a double and was initially roomed with someone who had a sleeping disability even though I requested a single. I had ENORMOUS problems switching rooms and really had to make a huge deal about it for several weeks before they allowed me to change rooms. I was finally given a single that was fantastic though. If you're given a single right away you'll enjoy it a lot, they're all quite nice. The dorms were a 30 minute walk to class. I found this initially annoying, grew to like it a lot, and then found it annoying once more when it started raining everyday from mid-November on.

* Food:

The food was the worst thing about Scotland, especially the dorm dining hall food. It was much much worse than the US. It open for very inconvenient hours, served repetitive entrees that were not very healthy, and did not taste very good. The Indian food in Scotland was the best I had ever eaten before. It was cheap and absolutely delicious.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Butler does a good job of introducing you to all of the other abroad students and sets up excursions within Edinburgh and other parts of the UK (for free) to help you enjoy yourself. They were a lot of fun and definitely suggest going on them. UK pub-culture is fantastic and I throughly enjoyed the local social scene. I joined the Ultimate Frisbee Team at Edinburgh, which ended up becoming my main source of social diversion. There are some great and friendly people on that team that really like to have a good time.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never once felt threatened during my trip (and felt comfortable walking alone on the street very late at night), though it's definitely not a place free of theft. I had 5 pairs of jeans stolen from my laundry room in my dorm and was pick-pocketed (losing my wallet) at a busstation. I also became sick with a sinus infection while abroad. The doctor was easy to see (and free!). I was prescribed antibiotics and it went away

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

Language acquisition improvement?

I went to Scotland, an English speaking country.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Americans
  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I had a really fantastic trip and wish it could have been longer. Can't wait to go back soon, though I would definitely choose to live out of the dorms.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

The Dynamic Cell II

Course Department: Biology Year 2
Instructor: Several
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I worked harder for this class than I did for the other 3 coursed at Edinburgh combine, because it was, by far, the most difficult. Nonetheless, it was the best biology course I've ever taken before. Very interesting and informative. I really felt as though I understood cellular mechanics on an intermediate level in a very useful and interesting way.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not at all, it counted toward my major.
Course Name/Rating:

Scottish Studies 1A: Conceptualizing Scotland

Course Department: Scottish Studies
Instructor: Gary West
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Amazing course. Very interesting and engaging. Although it was a very easy course, I felt as though I learned an enormous amount about the culture and history of Scotland. I would recommend anyone studying abroad at Edinburgh to take this course regardless of your academic background.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Social Psychology

Course Department: Psychology, 3rd Year
Instructor: Several
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Found this course to be interesting. Some of the professors that gave lectures it were the worst I've ever had in my life, others were completely fascinating. Hit or miss each lecture.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issue.
Course Name/Rating:

Differential Psychology

Course Department: Psychology
Instructor: Several.
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I strongly disliked this course and found the lecturers to be boring or not well informed. As a person with a heavy science background, I especially disliked the lectures that dealt with the biological aspects of personality and found the approach taken by these lecturers to be very soft, non-conclusive, and broad.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issue.