An Amazing and Life-Changing Semester! Past Review

By A student (Undeclared, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/10/2012 to 12/22/2012 with

University of St. Andrews: St. Andrews - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

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

During my semester I got to experience another culture and a different type of learning environment. It was definitely worthwhile. It was the perfect Febmester experience. I got to travel and start school when my other friends were. Also coming here, starting classes again was not as scary as it was for other Febs who hadn't been in school for a while. I got to learn some college study habits and what works and doesn't work for me. Also during this semester I made some of my friends who I will hopefully keep in touch with forever and visit.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	St Andrews was what you made it - you could choose whether or not you wanted to do your readings and attend lectures; in other words, it could be as difficult as you wanted.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Prior to arriving at St Andrews they would promptly respond to emails and answer any questions; however, I did have issues with their study abroad office and transferring credits.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Almost all of my friends were from the UK and I got to go home with them and experience their lives.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Healthcare was great and socialized. When I had a rash the doctor was willing to see me on a Sunday evening and my prescription was free.
* Safety:
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)	We were not provided dinner on the weekend so that was an added expense, and there were very strict meal times, so if you missed them you were on your own. Also because St Andrews is a small university town prices were marked up; however I did have friends who were able to do so.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Be able to cook your own dinners.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students 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?	Treatment as a normal student My friends Environment
* What could be improved?	Food Lecture size (too big for me, but I was also in all introduction classes)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I had been at college before so I would have already had work habits and could've travelled more.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Introduction to International Relations
Course Department:	International Relations
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	It was a broad intro class with hundreds of students, so I personally did not enjoy the teaching style. However, once a week we did have a tutorial with a small group and it was much more enjoyable. I would say I participated about the same as I do here. We had two major essays in the class (2000 words) and then a blue book final exam
Credit Transfer Issues:	I did have issues with making sure my transcripts were received so just make sure to check-up on that.

Course Name/Rating:	English: Ghosts and Doubles
Course Department:	English
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	There was a lot of reading for the class and I found the lectures boring. However, my tutorial was great and engaging. We had two major essays for the class (1800 words) and then a blue book final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I did have issues with making sure my transcripts were received so just make sure to check-up on that.

Course Name/Rating:	Social Anthropology
Course Department:	Social Anthropology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The lectures for the most part were very interesting, especially when professors discussed their own research experiences. My participation was comparable to my participation here. We had two essays (1700 words I believe) and a blue book final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I did have issues with making sure my transcripts were received so just make sure to check-up on that.