The Land of Lochs and Love Past Review
By A student (Environmental Studies / Creative Writing, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/05/2013 to 06/01/2013 with
IFSA: Scotland - Study Abroad at the University of Stirling
I have gained a few lifelong friends and a sense of confidence in my ability to handle things on my own. I've traveled all over and gained packing skills, cooking skills and have learned to like tea! It was a lot of fun.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I felt that this University, though not as hard as my home university, still had a lot to offer. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
IFSA Butler was fantastic. They were very helpful and kind and always there as a great resource! I was very pleased with them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was typical dorm housing which was fine. I just wish the kitchens were a tad cleaner but it is a dorm situation. |
| * Food: |
I honestly thought food would be more easily available. But I am used to a meal plan and this was much more self catering. That being said, my single pet peeve was the main place to eat on campus over the weekends always closed before they advertised it would. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I liked being able to go out to the local pubs and shops and go on the trips with IFSA Butler. However, I may not be as integrated since Stirling Uni has its own separate campus (which is nice!). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Food was a bit expensive here and my grocery bills as well as transportation added up. You have to pay for a lot of things such as the gym. It is worth it though to get a gym pass! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20-40 pounds. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use the off campus grocery stores and make sure to take advantage of the student rate on bus fares (so always bring your ID!). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? |
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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? | I wish I knew to save my money more! I did manage to do some awesome trips around Europe but since I am here it would have been nice to do a few more. The perfect time to travel is when you are already abroad! |
