The best year of my life in Edinburgh, Scotland Past Review
By A student (Biological Sciences, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/17/2012 to 05/31/2013 with
University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was absolutely worthwhile. I have gained only wonderful things from this program. My friends and family have noticed—I am a more confident, self-assured person. I've always been adventurous and loved to travel, but never able to visit another country, and my year abroad was everything I hoped it would be. My priorities and goals have changed to truly reflect whatever makes me happy and fulfilled. I feel equipped to take on the challenges that I will face here at Wellesley, after graduation, and throughout the rest of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I did not want academic rigor in my program, since my home university is incredibly rigorous. My study abroad experience was not academically "intense", but exactly what I was looking for. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
In Edinburgh, study abroad students had to seek out resources and be very proactive. There WERE resources out there, though. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was placed in the flat I requested (I wanted something central and "loud") and had Scottish roommates who I grew very close with! |
| * Food: |
I wasn't on a meal plan, so I cooked for myself. So food was sort of whatever I made it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I knew going in that I wanted to be integrated with local culture, and had to make an effort not to gravitate towards other Americans. I actually tried not to talk to other American study abroad students at all, and while this was especially difficult at first I think it was essential to the awesome experience I had. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to make an emergency dentist appointment to replace a temporary implant tooth and it cost about £50 up front. It was very easy, though I handled it on my own and with the help of my flatmate (no interaction with my program). |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe walking with a friend at night and even though it's a big city Edinburgh has a tiny crime rate (nothing compared to Glasgow apparently). The only thing is from time to time I experienced harassment from men walking down the street which unfortunately would probably happen anywhere, though it seemed a little more prevalent in Scotland. |
| 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) |
Living in Edinburgh on a student's budget wasn't an issue for me, and I'm on financial aid at Wellesley so I have a tight budget anyway. However, I traveled a LOT, and that ended up being really expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $50, probably |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Pay attention to the conversion!! I think I willingly ignored the fact that the pound is worth more than the dollar sometimes, and ended up spending way more than I should've on shoes/clothes/whatever. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? | DO NOT eat pub stew in Dublin. Primark isn't as cheap as it seems. Scotland has amazing Indian cuisine. Don't bother including texting in your phone plans—get free texting apps and just make international calls sparingly. I used an unlocked iPhone, and the £10 data plans was plenty. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
