Oxbridge Programs University of St Andrews: The Experience of a Lifetime Past Review
By Kyle L (Economics, Genetics, High School) - abroad from 06/13/2015 to 07/11/2015 with
Oxbridge Academic Programs: St Andrews - Oxbridge at St Andrews
I learned to appreciate and value the differences among cultures while sharing my own cultural idiosyncrasies. I developed a further sense of independence and individuality while still cordially interacting with my peers. This summer program exposed me to the life of a college student and allowed me to pursue my own intellectual curiosities on a higher level.
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. |
The Oxbridge St Andrews exposed me to a myriad of different cultures in the midst of the Scottish life. The instructors were constantly engaging and interacting with students, striving to unlock each individuals innate potential in the subject area. Additionally, nothing in my lifetime has paralleled the relationships forged and friends made, as this Oxbridge University of St Andrews Summer Program experience has. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration of the summer program was absolutely incredible. No study abroad student could ask for any more dedication to the students well-being outside of the classroom. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everything from the location of the dormitory to the bed I slept in provided an better experience than I expected. The organization of rooms and the integration of students with not only each other, but also with the staff gave way to a feeling of a home away from home. |
| * Food: |
The food, most everyday (except when haggis and turnip mash was served) was tasty and enjoyable. Every meal came with three different options, and one of the options was always vegetarian. The kitchen staff was always conscientious and more than happy to prepare the meals for us to the best of their ability. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The weekly trips to sites around western Scotland gave students the wonderful opportunity to engage with the local culture and converse with the local people on a casual level. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
St Andrews, Scotland is not small enough to be a village, but not large enough to a town. No other students, nor myself had any safety issues during the summer program. It is the perfect environment for a high school student to thrive in and prepare for the college experience alongside other students and independently. |
| 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? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Purchase bulk items and avoid small items when shopping at local grocery stores. |
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 had known more about the living accommodations that were going to be provided. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
