Scotland Internship Past Review
By Kelsey P (Political Science and Government., Wellesley College) for
University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes it was so worthwhile! I have such a better understanding of working in Government. Because the Scottish Parliament is so new you do get to do much more than you might in an American internship. I had spent time in Scotland before so I don't think my perspective was greatly changed but you can't place a value on living in a foreign country.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Again my program was quite different. It is only Americans and everyone took the same classes. The professors have been the same since the inception of the program so they are very used to working with Americans. It wasn't that different from America. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
This program was amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in doing a political internship. The Members of the Scottish Parliament are very used to having American interns and are wonderful. There is time to travel but not as much as on a typical study abroad program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived right off of the Royal Mile in Uni housing. All of the interns lived together. I was lucky and lived with one other intern, another study abroad student, and three Edinburgh Uni students. The flats were fine and could not have been better located. |
| * Food: |
Be warned everything is much more expensive in Scotland |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Really just getting to know the people living in my flat and having fun going out with them. It was a great break from the isolation of Wellesley. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
In terms of safety Edinburgh is incredibly safe so long as you use common sense. I got really sick once and was quickly seen by the University Health Services. Had I not been one of my coworkers had a private clinic he has sent other interns to for quick medical care. To stay healthy do the same things as you do in America. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I didn't have to spend too much because we were at the Parliament a lot and their meals were very well priced. Food and travel were my only real expenses. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It costs much more than you think it will to make the flat livable. Use the Bank of America/Barclay's partnership. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | 1. Get to class early there are very few seats at the table 2. Don't make your Member of the Scottish Parliament choice based solely on party I didn't and had a much better time than some other interns 3. make sure to keep in touch with your friends from back home The best type of student for this program would be someone interested in politics who wants to complete an internship |
