Living and Learning at the University of Edinburgh Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned a lot that I didn't know and gained from the different perspective from which the classes were taught. There is less work overall than a challenging American liberal arts school, but they don't grade easily (though they seem to think all American schools just pass out A's). I worked fairly hard (but not as hard as I would have worked at my home university!) and received grades that would be American Bs and As, according to their conversion chart.

On-site administration of your program

I only worked with the Visiting Student Office when I was getting ready to arrive. They were fine in all of my email dealings. There can be difficultly getting into certain courses if the office does not think your home university's courses qualify you to take them. I heard that it helped to go over their heads and talk to the department that had the course you wished to take. Students were assigned a Director of Studies. I met with mine rarely. The International Student Center is a mainly social organization that I cannot recommend highly enough if a student wants to meet people who are not American. It can be hard to becomes friends with British students because they already have their social circles in place. American tend to flock together as a result. At the ISC, I had friends from Pakistan, Kenya, Germany, Singapore.... and the odd Englishman or Scot.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in a university-owned flat on a street called Sciennces. It was very close to shops and the university. It was small and ugly, but serviceable. No complaints overall.

I either cooked for myself or ate in restaurants.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The International Student Center is a great, low key place to meet people. They have pub nights every week and organize inexpensive trips for the weekends. Take advantage of the many student discounts in the city to go to the opera, ballet, and concerts, if you are into that sort of thing. It's inexpensive and fun. The museums are mainly free. Scottish events like Burns Nights are fun. Ceilidh dances are also fun.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had a problems and felt very safe in the city. It is a city, so I was smart. I didn't carry my bank cards at night. I tried not to walk alone at night. I know of a few instances of thefts, but, as I said, I never had problems. I had a positive experience with the health care. If you are there for a year, you will sign up for their National Health Service. I went to the student health center when I was sick and, though I had to wait in line for a while, I got very inexpensive medicine.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment

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• International Students
• Local Students

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