Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

You will love it - GO TO SCOTLAND!!! Past Review

By (Physical Education, Health Eductation, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 02/02/2012 to 05/10/2012 with

University of Wisconsin - River Falls: Dalkeith - Wisconsin in Scotland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to much more open and accepting. I realized that people are people no matter where you go...I realized that I could live in another place in the world and be just fine. I now feel confident planning my own trips. I know how to travel and communicate in other parts of the world. I learned to appreciate different foods. It just opened my eyes to different cultures, lifestyles, and the effects of a globalized world. It was completely worth it!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I feel like my program continually challenged me in my education and provided many unique and personal learning experiences.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful. By the end of the program they felt like family.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was very cold at times, but overall I felt comfortable and safe.

* Food:

Henry the Chef was great!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It is all about how much you want to be integrated. By the end of the program, I felt more at home in Edinburgh than I do in La Crosse. I met wonderful people that I still keep in contact with.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any issues.

* Safety:

I felt COMPLETELY safe. My program trained us well. They taught us the safe ways to travel locally and throughout Europe.

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)

I was able to find cheap ways to live. It was the conversion rates that made it hard.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It averages out to about $150/wk, but the average is high because of spring break. In general, probably $50/wk
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? BUDGET IT OUT!!! Plan ahead, research, and don't buy things that you could buy at home. Try new things, read guide books, look for helpful apps, and use student discounts to your benefit!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • I lived in a palace.
  • I learned to travel on my own.
  • I felt at home in a foreign country.
* What could be improved?
  • Scottish weather is not always pleasant.
  • The palace was quite cold at times.
  • 1 pound = 1 dollar (that would be nice)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I don't NEED as much as I think I need. It is always smart to travel in groups (which I knew). Don't hesitate to try new things. Do as much as you can, but if you do not get to do it "there's always next time!" You can travel to Paris and Rome for a week (all expenses included) on a $400 budget if you plan ahead and do your research. I didn't know if it was possible, but we did it!