Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Not All expectations Were Met 100%, But So Very Close! - AMAZING Past Review

By (Concordia University Nebraska) - abroad from 06/05/2019 to 07/06/2019 with

ISA Study Abroad in Stirling, Scotland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained great international experience; how to better live on my own and fend for myself; how to go out and not only make friends with those in my program, but also the individuals living in the culture; how to use the bus system; what a public school feeling was like; and so much more! It was 100% worthwhile!

Review Photos

ISA Study Abroad in Stirling, Scotland Photo ISA Study Abroad in Stirling, Scotland Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I absolutely loved my program, but I would have liked to change a few things if I redid it.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The individuals in charge did a great job when accommodating the students with the multiple mishaps that were caused by unexpected weather. Plus, they genuinely cared for the students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing arrangements were similar to that of a hotel and very cozy!

* Food:

We did not have a meal plan and had to buy our own food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt semi-integrated, but really the students just visited the culture and did not really hang out with individuals from the culture except on special occasions.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

They told us where to go if health problems arrived.

* Safety:

I felt safe 99% of the time and even would walk the 40-minute walk home from the town to my university after midnight quite a few times.

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

I very much enjoyed my program and all the individuals involved with it. But I did include a Christian aspect to my program and the side over in Scotland tried to help me find mission opportunities, but all but one fell through and I was unable to really participate in mission work in the city (hopefully I made an impact on those around me though).

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 saved a lot of money by buying my own meals and I spent on average 5 pounds a week on food and always had plenty!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 7 pounds at the most
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be smart with your money and consider what you are about to spend your money on before you buy it.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

My foreign language was just a different dialect of British English and our professors told us to try it out as long as we were not sounding too mocking.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? N/A
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Learn beforehand and interact with the individuals in that culture.

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

  • 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?
  • The individuals there.
  • The opportunities to explore.
  • The scenery!
* What could be improved?
  • More mission work.
  • Organization at times.
  • Professionalism with some individuals.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much of a different religious aspect there was in Scotland compared to the United States.

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.