Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A semester that sticks Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/16/2019 to 12/20/2019 with

University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
An understanding of how students are thinking outside of my own institution, outside of the U.S. Invaluable friendships that continue to be the source of so much happiness and support even from afar.

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.

* 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? 30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Spend less out and about, spend more on meaningful experiences like going to see a play or taking a weekend trip. If you have flatmates that are willing, try and make your meals together. Even one shared meal a day can cut your expenses down and try and buy communal things like bread and eggs that you might use frequently. Also, I limited myself by withdrawing money and not using my card. This not only helped me track my spending in a much more tangible way, but it also helped me avoid foreign fees that I would incur every time I used my credit card.

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
  • 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?
  • the people
  • the environment
  • the courses
* What could be improved?
  • the rigor
  • support from the host uni
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I hadn't worried so much about meeting people. There will be plenty of ways to find friends while you're abroad, and it's also very okay to take time to be alone. Don't worry too much about what you're missing out on, just focus on what you've gained.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.