Why did you choose this program?
I have always wanted to go abroad, and CIEE was one of the programs at my school that fit perfectly during a change in my life, as well as being a more affordable option. Having the opportunity to spend the semester at a University in Scotland and taking Scottish history classes presented me with the perfect way to spend five months. It gave me the push I needed to go outside my comfort zone and do something truly amazing
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
CIEE was very hands-on with the onboarding process and had multiple calls to make sure I had all the proper documents for the university and was enrolling in classes that were good for me. They also provided me with kitchen necessities and bedding when I first arrived at my flat in Scotland. During my entire time there, they planned day trips and other events to help us get comfortable in new situations and help us understand Scotland and its people.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Going abroad is a gratifying experience, but it is not easy. Spend time getting to know the country you're spending time in. Once you get there, try to make friends with people in your program or find local groups you can participate in. If you isolate yourself, it can get pretty lonely. Explore outside the city you're in and talk to anyone you can. The BIGGEST recommendation as well is to plan a budget and stick to it.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
During the week, you'll go to your classes and sometimes to events the program has planned. The week changes depending on your class schedule. On the weekend, you are free to do whatever you wish. I did a lot of exploring and late nights on the town. Getting familiar with the transportation is essential, as you'll need to use it for university.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
I had two biggest worries: I would have no friends and run out of money. I was scared that I would be too nervous to venture out and make new friends, so I had to really push out of my comfort zone and experience the awkwardness of meeting new people and who I got along with. I got involved in anything that I could. On the money aspect, it was really tricky because you can't work unless you're on a visa, and even then, you can't work more than 20hrs a week. Thankfully, my home university and CIEE helped me come up with a good budget plan that got me through my semester. Looking back, budgeting is super important, but at the same time, there are things I regret not doing because I was too worried about money. You only live once and you should live it as well as you can.
