Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Eh. I guess I don't regret it. Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/16/2019 to 12/21/2020 with

University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Travel and independence. Worthwhile, yes, but I wouldn't do it again.

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.

Didn't feel very connected to the academic community

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Felt nonexistent

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

No choice for single-sex living. Lived with a demon man child who somehow broke the toilet seats off of both toilets. I'd also torn a ligament in my ankle so when they initially put me in Beaverbank housing (extremely far from campus) I asked to be moved somewhere closer on a first level floor. They moved me closer, but they put me on the fourth floor of a building with no elevator.

* Food:

No food provided.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

No integration.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Way more accessible than in America.

* Safety:

The city felt pretty safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Should have gone to Italy or Japan where I could have improved my language skills at least.

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? approx. $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? No.

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

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • travel
  • free time
  • that one cat cafe
* What could be improved?
  • community
  • housing
  • food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Everything. Most people love studying abroad, I was just so lonely that I couldn't enjoy it.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!