Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Expanding my thinking about the law in historic Edinburgh March 28, 2021

By (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/21/2020 to 12/18/2020 with

University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was very worthwhile. I learned about other historic and contemporary legal systems, which expanded my thinking about helped put my understanding of US law into perspective.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My upper-level courses were very interesting and rigorous, and the instructors were very engaged with students. They provided weekly feedback on student writing assignments. In contrast, my lower level class was less rigorous than I would have liked. The instructors did not assign enough reading to illustrate the concepts.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Compared to UT-Austin, administrative processes like course registration and changes were slow and tedious.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in off-campus housing that I arranged myself. It was very nice and convenient but expensive.

* Food:

I lived in off-campus housing and cooked my own food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt as integrated as possible given the pandemic. However, this was largely due to my own efforts, not the university's.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The university advised students to register with a local general practitioner. I followed that advice.

* Safety:

Edinburgh felt like a very safe place.

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

My professors were fantastic, and the university draws students and professors from all over the world. I loved living in Edinburgh.

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)

Groceries were affordable in Edinburgh. Eating out was expensive.

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? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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?
  • Engaged professors
  • Rigorous coursework
  • Beautiful, historic city
* What could be improved?
  • University course registration
  • Teaching in ordinary courses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The difference in quality between honours (upper level) and ordinary (lower level) courses.

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!