Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Trip of a Lifetime Past Review

By (Greens Farms Academy) - abroad from 06/13/2015 to 07/11/2015 with

Oxbridge Academic Programs: St Andrews - Oxbridge at St Andrews

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The experience was worthwhile. I developed my social skills meeting 59 strangers within my age group and getting to know them very well. I also gained a significant amount of academic knowledge, the course are not basic or standard, they tend to be hands on and interactive, and in depth of what ever the subject is. I also learned how to manage my money, and independently explore a foreign place without the help of my parents during free time and lunch. This trip was also my first time away from home for an extended period of time. I got to experience living in a dorm and a glimpse of college life and possible areas of study for when I do go to college.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The overall rigor of the educational eperience was great. No matter which course across the board students learned and experienced a lot in their subjects of study.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

On-site administration was ran well. There was always an adult on call in case of emergency. All events and trips were well organized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very satisfied with the living arraignments. We were located in John Burnet Hall Dorm directly across the street from the famous Open Golf Course and within a 5 minute radius walk of restaurants, shops, and classes. The dorms were very spacious and often had nice views.

* Food:

Our program had kitchen staff that prepared breakfast and dinner for us daily a wide range of food. We had a daily option of fruits, cereal, wheats at breakfast and deserts and salads at dinner. Students were the freedom of going out on their own but more frequently in small groups of friends to buy and explore the restaurants in the area. There was almost never a night where I didn't enjoy the food provided for me. If I did not like it the location of the university and the dorms so close to local cafe shops and restaurants, and take out places that there was always an alternate option.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt really integrated into the local culture. We took frequent trips to day excursions to museums, castles, and local events such as the Ceres Highland Games, which has been occurring annually for over 400 years. The people who lived there were very welcoming.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have medical issues. There is a emergency hospital in St.Andrews incase someone does experience any medical issues. There are no vaccines necessary for travel there.

* Safety:

I always felt safety walking around the town. The strangers were genuinely friendly and kept to themselves unless I was asking for directions, which they were always willing to help with. To be on the safe side I would recommend traveling with a friend, however I explored a majority of the town on my own during free time or during lunch on my own and never encountered a situation in which my safety was at risk. The dorm building also had ID card rock so only people participating in the program could get in.

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)

I would say it was 2.0, easy to live easy at a minimal cost, especially since I only had to pay for lunch and items I wanted to buy from shops. I planned and budgeted for each week with the cash I brought with me which was about 350 pounds for food and had money left over. The amount of money you spend depends on where you go to eat.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent an average of 5-10 pounds everyday on lunch, so somewhere between 140-300 pounds on food throughout the entire program. There were no other expenses unless I wanted to buy things for myself. The program payed for and covered transportation on trips. I choose to sign for the student gym so that was an additional expense but I received a discount as student and paid with each visit to the gym about 3 pounds and 50 pence.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would recommend having a lot of cash. Something that worked well for me was having my souvenir money spirit, and clothes/ general shopping separate as well from food. I also gave myself a max limit for about 10 pounds per day on food.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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?
  • Activities- Our administartion always had fun optional activities and events.
  • Independence
  • Community-Clans- We were divided into traditional Scottish Clans and did things together as clans and as one entire group such as our own version of the Highland Games.
* What could be improved?
  • Lunch time on days with minors, sometimes if I went to a sit in restaurant i would have to rush back to class. I would add about 10 or 15 more minutes to the free time.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wished I knew that is probably going to be slightly chiller than I expected, so that I could have packed a bit less summer clothes.

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 Linguist
You 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!