UK, Beautiful but expensive. Past Review
By Ashley C (Psychology, Monmouth College) for
University of the Highlands and Islands: Inverness - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was worth it. From this I think I gained more of an appreciation for my family, my money, and my country. I think this made me realize a lot about the world and how money works and from my experience I could use this for what I want to do with my life. I really want to be a guidance counselor and now that I have been here I know I will have tons of advice for everyone who thinks about going abroad!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There were many difference actually. A lot of the classes were video conference so the professor or what they call "tutors" were not actually in the class room with us. It can be difficult to understand. They also have a pass or fail system and a 40% still passes here. So far the workload is a lot less and its more of you doing what you want, like reading and such. They give you what they recommend you read but its more up to you to do that work. Also, there are a lot of online classes which you do all the work on blackboard, which we do not use at my home college. I thought this was a cool way to do things by having discussions with people at different UHI universities since there are many different ones that can take the class. This was the same for the video conference classes as well. I personally like the face to face classes that we have at my home college better though because I like to raise my hand and ask questions rather than having to figure out video equipment in a room or waiting for a response email with my online classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
For the most part they did have a lot of supportive facility besides one women who made it a little bite challenging for us the first few days there. Everyone else, including my advisor, they were all so nice and welcoming and they had our well-being both emotionally and educationally at heart. They made sure we had enough credits that would transfer over and be helpful to us so we can graduate in America on time. I could not have asked for a better advisor than the one I have here in Scotland. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I live with a really good host family. My host mom is a single mother in her forties and she is also a student and her daughter is 12 years old. They are both so nice and welcoming and go out of their way to make sure I feel at home. I didn't have to bring anything other than my basic personal care items. They provide sheets and blankets and such. The only problem I have is that my house is about an hour walk to the town center where all the night life happens. Its not too bad of a walk to school only about 20 minutes. |
| * Food: |
My host mom makes great meals! The only problem is the price of things here is really expensive so its very expensive to eat out. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The school has arranged a few trips for us but its just for the people that came from my college so there is no meeting new people here. Also, most of the classes are video conference or online so you do not get a good chance to meet anyone. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
My school made sure we had student international insurance so everything was paid for if we had to go to the doctor. I haven't had to use this yet so I don't know how good their health-care is here. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would defiantly save up a lot of money if I were to do this again. Things here are so expensive and the currency rate between the United States of American and the United Kingdom is very poor. Its almost two dollars to the pound. I got screwed over last minute and had to pay my school a bunch of money so I was unable to have a lot of money and I have to rely on my family to send me money. Also, you might want to look into a work or school visa. Since the program is only three months we didn't have to get an actual visa so we are unable to even volunteer. I would make sure I got that checked out or else you will be broke and bored most of the time. If i were to do this again I would also make sure I double and triple check my classes before I left because the classes got changed over the summer and some people already bought books for those classes and they got canceled. This is a very good program and experience but I just wish someone would have told me all of this before I left. |
