Edinburgh: Somewhat Rewarding Past Review
By Calin B (Political Science and Government., Wellesley College) for
University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I'm divided on whether it was worthwhile. I probably would choose to either just stay at Wellesley or take the semester off to intern somewhere in the states or back home in Asia if I could do it again.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was different in the sense that you have to be self-motivated to keep up with the course, there weren't many assignments throughout the semester. The grading system was also different, however that was not so much an issue. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I think my expectations were met with all of the above |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The university lost my housing application so I ended up having to live in a dormitory with freshmen rather than an apartment which was what I had wanted. |
| * Food: |
Along with my dormitory housing, I also had to pay extra for dining hall food which was very unsatisfactory. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I wasn't part of a program that arranged anything for me. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Edinburgh is a very safe city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | I probably spent about 50 US on food a week since I was living mostly on dining hall food -- although because the dining hall food was so unsatisfactory I often ended up eating outside which overall just made me spend more money than necessary. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I wish that I was not forced to live in a dormitory and forced to pay more for housing and dining when I had not wanted either in the first place and in the end spent a lot more money than I or my parents had anticipated because of their mistake. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | Make sure your housing application is not lost and do not live in a dormitory |
