A beautiful dream Past Review

By Annaliese Oliveira (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/05/2016 to 12/20/2016 with

University of Glasgow: Glasgow - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I came into this experience extremely broken. It was my first time away from home for such a long period of time, I had just had a break up, my mental health was a wreck. etc. I was terrified, super cold, and knew absolutely no one. But all of my fears were flipped. I made so many dear friends who I still keep in contact with. I met so many people from around the world. I was introduced to the ridiculous beauty of Scotland, hiking, Tesco, Waitrosse, Primark, fall, vegan food everywhere, and of my lovely Glasgow. If you cannot tell, I had an incredible time. I miss it so much and all of my friends I made that were also on exchange are searching for ways to return. Leaving Glasgow actually broke my heart and I cannot wait to return. I cannot stress how worthwhile this trip was.

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.	I learned more about international relations during the semester I was here than my two years at my home university. Very in depth and require you to have a great deal of background knowledge. Be prepared for the UK grading system that almost exclusively relies on final exams (3-4 essay questions of which you pick two) and lengthy final essays.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Did not baby us but did not really respond to any concerns either.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Oof Murano. The worst. But also where I met my dear flatmates who I got tattoos with and still keep in contact with. Had dinners with room across from us and went to parties on the bottom floor. Yeah it's ratchet and not soundproof but I have so many wonderful memories of friendships and weird nights. Put a lot of duvets on your bed so it is not painful and bring ear plugs/white noise machine if you are sensitive to noise like me. And yeah, it is far, 30 minute walk, but it is a BEAUTIFUL walk and gets you to another part of the city. Not dangerous at all, "dangerous" for Scotland as in you can't walk alone as a female at 3 am. But my roommates still did that and they are a live.
* Food:	I <3 tesco and waitrosse
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I joined a church, a student group, a church bible study, a hall bible study, a Christian social justice group, and the Christian Union. So, I got super integrated. But I know others who did not get integrated at all! Be proactive! The Scottish people are very kind an welcoming!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	University healthcare was fine. Only used it once for pill refills. Terrible mental health care though.
* Safety:	Ridiculously safe. Evident in how they think Murano is "dangerous". Well lit.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes It was everything I could have wanted and more. Also I forgot where to put this but use Student Tours Scotland for tours Gary is the best and the tours are STUNNING.

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)	I am not great with money but I probably spent like $100 per week? Especially with places like primark and waitrosse it was hard for me to not to! Could be done on like $50 a week for sure.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$30-$50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Shop at the biggest Tesco, smaller ones are more expensive. Primark has super cute and super cheap clothes! Easyjet/ryanair for flights. Railway pass if you know you will be doing that a lot (I did and should have bought the pass)

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	Americans 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?	10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	People Scotland The Uni
* What could be improved?	Murano
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	So cold, in the winter there is no sun! But most importantly, to relax and enjoy this wonderful time that I would look back on fondly.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	European Union and International Relations
Course Department:	Politics
Instructor:	Maurizio Carbone
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Learned so much in this course! The teacher was hilarious, knowledgeable, energetic, and cared about the students. Would definitely recommend! Lots of reliance on discussion and the other students are very intelligent and well informed.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	History of German Reunification
Course Department:	History
Instructor:	Eileen Ritchie
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Learned a ton in this course as well. Wonderful and kind professor who knew a lot about her subject. After Trump's win she cancelled our presentations that day so we could discuss/mourn. Lots of discussion.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Post Communist Russia and Former Soviet Union
Course Department:	Central Eastern European Studies
Instructor:	Rotation
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	People in this class were particularly knowledgeable about CEES and I am not. Still learned a lot and it was cool to have a rotation of professors. Not a lot of students showed up to lecture and discussion was always painfully quiet. But did get to learn a lot!
Credit Transfer Issues: