An INCREDIBLE Year in Edinburgh! Past Review
By A student (American Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/07/2015 to 05/22/2015 with
University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Studying in Edinburgh for the year was the best decision I've made in my college career. I absolutely loved the city, the university, and the people. I learned how to be more independent, from cooking for myself to traveling alone to figuring out how to manage my own coursework and studying. Leaving Edinburgh was incredibly hard, but I feel as though I've found a home in the city, and I cannot wait to go back. I would recommend it unequivocally to anyone!
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. |
Edinburgh University is a really great academic institution, and the students are incredibly smart and engaged. The coursework was far less spread out than out Wellesley, with most of the work concentrated in the very last month of the school year. While exam period was extremely difficult, I loved having free time throughout the rest of the year (I forgot what that was like at Wellesley!). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Office of International Students was very helpful when it came to choosing courses and housing. I chose not to participate in any activities the OIS hosted and had very little contact with other international students, as I wanted to immerse myself in the student culture. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I lived in a self-catered flat, so I did all of my own cooking. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had a great time meeting students at Edinburgh and felt very integrated into university life. All of my friends were full-time Edinburgh Uni students, most of whom I met through my housing but some of whom I met through classes. Staying the entire academic year definitely helped in this regard--it was only during the first semester that I really began to feel like an Edinburgh student, rather than just an exchange student. The city of Edinburgh is also INCREDIBLE. I've never felt so at home in a city, and I absolutely plan on returning to study or, perhaps, to stay. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The NHS is a Godsend! |
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| 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) |
The exchange rate is not in your favor. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
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
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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? | It can be difficult to meet people at first, especially since Edinburgh Uni is so big, but eventually you will and it will be great! Also, relax and enjoy your free time. This isn't Wellesley! |
