Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best time of my life June 01, 2022

By (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/17/2022 to 05/19/2022 with

University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to be more mature and independent as there was a lot to figure out as I lived abroad. It was totally worth it!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academic intensity was a lot less rigorous compared to my experience at Wellesley, but I appreciated it as a study abroad student as I was relieved of a lot of the academic stress and competition I experience at Wellesley.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The University of Edinburgh administration was very kind and helpful, and prompt about providing help that was needed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My dorm was very nice, but the cost was a little too high.

* Food:

The food was really good, much better than my home university. However, they did not provide any alternative meal plan when the dining hall was closed for more than a week for Spring break.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I learned a lot about the Scottish culture by being fully immersed in it.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have much experience with healthcare as I didn't need any assistance.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Edinburgh the whole time.

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

I really loved the experience of living in Scotland, where there was such a distinct culture and it was really good to experience a school that was very different from Wellesley in terms of size, population makeup, and location (University of Edinburgh was right in the city).

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)

It was costly living in the UK especially with the currency exchange rate.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Not very much when I was just in Edinburgh, but a lot more when I was travelling.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I just tried to eat in the dining hall as much as possible as I was already paying for the dining hall meal plan.

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

  • 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
  • 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?
  • administration support
  • tutorials/tutors
* What could be improved?
  • more advisor support
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I can't think of anything.

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.