Bonny Scotland will Become a Part of You. Past Review

By (Communications, State U) for

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Never miss the chance to have an adventure. You never know what you may find! I went to St. Andrews with high hopes and though the first few weeks were a tough adjustment, I eventually found people who remain dear friends still, four years later. My abroad experience impacted me to such an extent that I am now persuing my doctorate in the UK full time!

Review Photos

Direct Enrollment: St. Andrews - St. Andrews University Photo Direct Enrollment: St. Andrews - St. Andrews University Photo Direct Enrollment: St. Andrews - St. Andrews University Photo Direct Enrollment: St. Andrews - St. Andrews University Photo

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.

The academic system represented a change and, I later learned, something of a preview of graduate-style studies. The reading and writing were more self-directed than that in US schools and the final grade for each course based entirely on a single exam and one or two major papers. It was a challenge, but a worthy one.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I was directly enrolled, so there was no "host advisement".

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in an underclassman dorm, so I had less in common with my roommate than I would have liked, but I was in the middle of campus, just a short walk from all the restaurants and pubs.

* Food:

This is a personal preference, of course, but I happen to love good stodgy British food. The town has plenty of pubs and restaurants, a few fish and chip shops and a variety of cuisine to choose from. If you like cooking for yourself, there's a Tesco right on main street.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Though nothing was officially organised by my program, I found the local students to be very welcoming and the attractions of Edinburgh are not to far away if St. Andrews starts to feel small.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never required health-care, but I always felt safe and comfortable in St. Andrews.

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

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? This program, undirected as it is, is best for students who are independent and capable of jumping in cold, meeting people and attending events without the company of people they already know.