An Urban, International Adventure - One Semester in Edinburgh Past Review

By (Computer Science, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/16/2017 to 05/19/2017 with

University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a greater self confidence living and traveling by myself, especially in places where I don't speak the language. I really enjoyed getting to spend time just wandering in Edinburgh, and in other cities I visited. I learned how to adapt to new environments.

Review Photos

University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

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 academic atmosphere at Edinburgh is very different from the tight-knit classrooms of my home, liberal arts college, but the coursework was challenging and interesting.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my flat! I lived in Robertson's (Robbie's) Close, and although Cowgate is loud, especially on the weekends, I loved being so close to Campus and to SouthBridge. My flat wasn't fancy, but it had a nice cooking space, cozy rooms, and was a good fit for the four of us who were living there. If you need quiet to study or sleep, though, Robbie's may not be the best choice. As the dorm is directly over Pilgrim Bar, it could get rather noisy at night.

* Food:

I really enjoyed cooking for myself - I did small grocery shops during the week, and it was much cheaper than a meal plan would have been. There is also plenty of affordable take-away in the area, so when I didn't want to cook I was able to pick up something inexpensive and easy.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I think it was more difficult, coming in the second semester, to get to know other students than it would have been had I started at the beginning of the year. Additionally, because classes were so large, I found that they were a bit impersonal, and it was more difficult to get to know classmates. Still, there were plenty of socials, clubs, and events for meeting new people.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The uni made it very easy to get signed up with the local, student health service at the beginning of the semester. I didn't go back during the semester, but it was good to know that I had a nearby option. I didn't need any vaccines before going abroad.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Edinburgh - walking around after dark, I did try to stay in groups, but the city is well lit, and I felt secure once I learned my way around.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I think I would attend Edinburgh again, although I would try to start in the Fall semester and stay for the whole year! I loved exploring the city, and I feel like, when I left, I was finally getting to know the area. I think, too, that I would get more out of my classwork if I'd taken some of the history and literature modules that spanned, in two parts, the full year.

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)

So long as you don't go out for food or drinks often, Edinburgh was fairly affordable. There are budget stores like Pound Savers on Southbridge where you can buy household supplies, and grocery store's like Lidl's that kept my food expenses very low.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shop at Lidl's for groceries, and look into some of the smaller shops for produce. Pound Savers is a great option for dishes, cutlery, and cookware, and Amazon will almost always be a better deal than the department stores on Prince St. I would recommend bringing or buying a drying rack, if there's not one in your flat already. The dryers in my building were a bit unreliable, and were also on the pricy side.

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
  • 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?
  • City
  • Travel Opportunities
  • Classwork
* What could be improved?
  • More variety of social events in the beginning.
  • More planned trips.
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the sun does come out in Edinburgh, and that I should pack for warm weather.