Amazing Past Review

By (Vancouver Island University) - abroad from 09/01/2018 to 12/18/2019 with

University of the Highlands and Islands: Inverness - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Gained new friends and got international experience travelling around in numerous European countries

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was fortunate to be placed in a flat with 3 other great friends, which positively impact my experience. However, I had some friends who weren't as fortunate and had a couple flatmates who didn't respect communal spaces and would leave the hall and shared kitchen in an intolerable state.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I came from Canada, so the culture shock was fairly mild for me. A lot of beautiful castles available to visit and opportunities to learn about Scotland's history.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The healthcare system was really accommodating. I had an incident where I required stitches and the medical resources at Raigmore Hospital were available to me at no cost

* Safety:

I consistently went out for nighttime walks and bike rides around campus and Inverness and never had an incident. It was really safe

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The exchange program allowed me to immerse myself in a different culture and it introduced me to many people from around the world (Scotland, France, Finland, Germany) who I consider to be life-long friends.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~$60

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

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Making international friends
  • Opportunity to travel
  • Course material (forestry)
* What could be improved?
  • Could offer more events for international students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How easy it was to apply. If I knew about this before, I would have gone on exchange more than once

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.