Edinburgh Rocks Past Review

By (Philosophy., Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 05/25/2012 with

University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a great deal about a fascinating culture, I met many wonderful people, and I had a fun urban experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~$100

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Location, culture
  • People
* What could be improved?
  • Awareness of different academic standards
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I had known ahead of time that many universities in the UK place a greater emphasis on recollection and regurgitation of information over independent reflection, judging work more by breadth of content and less by depth of analysis.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

History of Modern Philosophy: Epistemology

Course Department: Philosophy
Instructor: Prof. Phemister
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Though the course itself was fine, due to personal reasons the professor did not teach the class for almost half the term. To make up for our absent professor, the university had another lecturer instruct a few classes. While he lectured well, he was not familiar with all the material being taught in the course, which caused some of the course material to not be presented in depth or at all. Also, the professor was not present for the final review to inform the class what she expected of us for the exam, which was especially difficult for the exchange students not familiar with the UK's examination standards.
Credit Transfer Issues: