Wellesley to St Andrews Past Review
By A student () for
University of St. Andrews: St. Andrews - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I'm incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to study abroad. That said, I do love Wellesley and studying here has made me realize that. St Andrews was a lot of fun for a semester, but I don't think I could do it for much longer; I really began to miss the small, close-knit, single-sex community at Wellesley. I had great conversations with my international flatmates and gained a lot of insight into how America is perceived internationally.
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. |
I only had two classes at St Andrews where I'd ordinarily have four at Wellesley. The grading is completely anonymous--you're only identified by your matriculation number. I appreciate the assurance of fairness and objectivity, but ultimately I think I prefer a grading system where professors know your face and can evaluate you at least partly based on how much you, individually, have progressed as a student over the course of the semester. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I really functioned as a regular St Andrews student. I think there was some kind of Study Abroad Orientation, but I didn't attend or interact with any special Study Abroad department apart from the emails they sent before I came. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
The catered food is terrible. Wouldn't recommend. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Make sure to spend time in Edinburgh; it's a beautiful city with a lot to offer. Go to the Bops at the Union, they're really fun. The Lizard is not as sketchy as people make it sound. Check out the tourist attractions in St. Andrews like the Cathedral and the Castle, they're gorgeous. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
St Andrews is extremely safe. My flat was a mile away from town and I never felt unsafe walking home at night. As far as healthcare is concerned, I was never informed of what kind of health forms I was supposed to bring to register with the University Health Services so I never registered. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
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
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | St Andrews is best for students who don't have a lot of experience with international travel and who are looking for a break academically. It is definitely a bit of a party school, so keep that in mind--you may find socializing more difficult if you don't drink. |
