Study abroad in London, Edinburgh or Italy?
Nov 28th, 2008, 01:18 PM
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Study abroad in London, Edinburgh or Italy?
My daughter, currently a college sophomore, wants to study abroad for part of her junior year. She is currently thinking of spending next summer at Cambridge and then the following semester in London or Edinburgh (a change from her earlier Copenhagen idea). She has been to London and several cities in Italy but has never been to Edinburgh. I am wondering if anyone here has studied abroad in any of these places and can give any advice. General info about studying abroad would also be much appreciated.
Initially, DD though of studying in Florence for a semester but changed her mind. I'm still not so subtly pushing for Italy and would be happy to hear of any wonderful tales of studying there!
Initially, DD though of studying in Florence for a semester but changed her mind. I'm still not so subtly pushing for Italy and would be happy to hear of any wonderful tales of studying there!
Nov 28th, 2008, 01:37 PM
#2
There seem to be two different types of study abroad. Students attend an "institute" which usually consists of other American students and even though their credits are awarded from a particular college they never actually set foot on that campus. If classes are taught in another language, the institutes go at a much slower pace than classes at the colleges.
The other is where they actually enroll in particular college and take their classes on campus with students other European countries as opposed to just Americans.
My daughter studied in Madrid and was surprised that the majority of American students were at institutes. Her school wouldn't allow that. She had to travel between two colleges because in Spain you only take classes in your major, no gen ed classes. Since her major was chemical engineering, she took those classes at an engineering college (Politecnica) and her literature classes at a different college (Complutense). All classes were, of course, taught in Spanish so you needed to be fluent.
She had to apply for a student visa and we had to buy a major medical policy to cover her while in Spain (proof of the insurance was required to get the visa).
Is your daughter fluent in Italian?
The other is where they actually enroll in particular college and take their classes on campus with students other European countries as opposed to just Americans.
My daughter studied in Madrid and was surprised that the majority of American students were at institutes. Her school wouldn't allow that. She had to travel between two colleges because in Spain you only take classes in your major, no gen ed classes. Since her major was chemical engineering, she took those classes at an engineering college (Politecnica) and her literature classes at a different college (Complutense). All classes were, of course, taught in Spanish so you needed to be fluent.
She had to apply for a student visa and we had to buy a major medical policy to cover her while in Spain (proof of the insurance was required to get the visa).
Is your daughter fluent in Italian?
Nov 28th, 2008, 02:19 PM
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Her college should be having informational meetings for interested students to help in the decision making process.
Also, she should talk to students (they're probably seniors now) who did the study abroad in these different countries and get their account of what they liked/didn't like.
Also, she should talk to students (they're probably seniors now) who did the study abroad in these different countries and get their account of what they liked/didn't like.
Nov 28th, 2008, 04:01 PM
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There is at least a third type of overseas study in addition to the "institutes" and "local colleges/universities" of which kybourbon wrote - there's also the overseas campuses of American universities. For example, there's Stanford in Oxford, or Stanford in Florence (I'm not really sure they have campuses in those cities) where you will study with both local and Stanford professors and live with mostly other Stanford students. Stanford isn't the only university that has programs like that.
Nov 28th, 2008, 04:12 PM
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The daughter of in-laws of mine spent a year in Edinburgh - studying music. Obviously language was not a problem. And she arranged it through her home college so there would be no issues around credits being completely transferable.
She loved the city, the school and the classes. And since she had a student visa for 2 full semesters she had a lot of opportunities for long weekends in other cities/countries.
She did mention that another american student she met (studying history I believe) had not made the arrangements through her home college and had a problem getting some credits accepted - since the school didn't have equivalents of a couple of courses.
She loved the city, the school and the classes. And since she had a student visa for 2 full semesters she had a lot of opportunities for long weekends in other cities/countries.
She did mention that another american student she met (studying history I believe) had not made the arrangements through her home college and had a problem getting some credits accepted - since the school didn't have equivalents of a couple of courses.
Nov 28th, 2008, 05:12 PM
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My experience falls under the "general" category: daughter spent last year in Strasbourg. It was an approved exchange program with her college here but she is still working with them to transfer the classes.
As poster above stated, when you are a student at a foreign college, and not at one of the "institutes", you take classes in the local language - in my daughter's case, all her classes were in French. And yes, they were all in only her major which is Physics - no "french culture" or anything like that, just Quantum, Material Science, Fluid Mechanics, etc.
One thing that was quite a shock - the testing/grading system was very different from here. Her classes had no tests, quizzes, homework, etc. Nothing that was graded except for the final - some written and some oral examinations. She got one score and either passed or didn't pass. This was a shock because the A student actually failed 2 classes in her first semester. But she said that was all part of the system too because you can retake the exams later. She passed all her 2nd semester classes, however, and even with the 2 failed classes, will still graduate in 4 years, so no problem.
She lived in a dorm, just like any other student. Met lots of other "internationals" but purposefully stayed away from other English first-language students and therefore her best friends were Polish, Czech, French, Spanish, etc. - with their common language being French it was a great way to become fluent.
She was told by friends who had gone abroad the previous year that their biggest regret was only being there 1 semester, so she was very glad to be there for the year. She also traveled to Morocco with fellow students and to Poland with her closest friend. It was fabulous, and she misses it.
As poster above stated, when you are a student at a foreign college, and not at one of the "institutes", you take classes in the local language - in my daughter's case, all her classes were in French. And yes, they were all in only her major which is Physics - no "french culture" or anything like that, just Quantum, Material Science, Fluid Mechanics, etc.
One thing that was quite a shock - the testing/grading system was very different from here. Her classes had no tests, quizzes, homework, etc. Nothing that was graded except for the final - some written and some oral examinations. She got one score and either passed or didn't pass. This was a shock because the A student actually failed 2 classes in her first semester. But she said that was all part of the system too because you can retake the exams later. She passed all her 2nd semester classes, however, and even with the 2 failed classes, will still graduate in 4 years, so no problem.
She lived in a dorm, just like any other student. Met lots of other "internationals" but purposefully stayed away from other English first-language students and therefore her best friends were Polish, Czech, French, Spanish, etc. - with their common language being French it was a great way to become fluent.
She was told by friends who had gone abroad the previous year that their biggest regret was only being there 1 semester, so she was very glad to be there for the year. She also traveled to Morocco with fellow students and to Poland with her closest friend. It was fabulous, and she misses it.
Nov 28th, 2008, 06:44 PM
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I think college must have changed since I was there.
We certainly didn't have "homework". We had midterms and finals - as well as 2 or more large papers per semester. Granted I was majoring in history - and perhaps science courses have more tests - but one of my roommates was a bio major and I don;t remember a lot of quizzes - just a midtern, final and semester project.
And, yes, in europe the use of oral exams is very common (like we do when defending your thesis to get a doctorate).
We certainly didn't have "homework". We had midterms and finals - as well as 2 or more large papers per semester. Granted I was majoring in history - and perhaps science courses have more tests - but one of my roommates was a bio major and I don;t remember a lot of quizzes - just a midtern, final and semester project.
And, yes, in europe the use of oral exams is very common (like we do when defending your thesis to get a doctorate).
Nov 28th, 2008, 06:47 PM
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Come to think of it I don;t remember being graded on homework in high school either.
There definitely WAS homework. But the grades were based on tests - fairly frequent, midterms and finals - and papers (in all courses - but in sciences and math tests counted most - other courses papers counted a lo esp English - a paper each week - and social studies).
There definitely WAS homework. But the grades were based on tests - fairly frequent, midterms and finals - and papers (in all courses - but in sciences and math tests counted most - other courses papers counted a lo esp English - a paper each week - and social studies).
Nov 28th, 2008, 08:24 PM
#9
sf7307 - Many of the American colleges that have overseas campuses such as Stanford are actually using the institutes I mentioned earlier. Sometimes if the college has enough students they will have their own floor at the institute. These kids do not see other college students, only other Americans.
Some of my daughter's classes had a mid-term test and a final which were the only grades for the class. Others had a mid-term paper and a final. Usually you have 3-4 weeks after classes end before you take your finals (hers were end of June).
Some of my daughter's classes had a mid-term test and a final which were the only grades for the class. Others had a mid-term paper and a final. Usually you have 3-4 weeks after classes end before you take your finals (hers were end of June).
Nov 28th, 2008, 08:45 PM
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Our daughter's college had a villa in Florence, so she spent a semester there. It was a wonderful experience.
She and another student from her college lived with an Italian family, so she really learned a lot about the culture. She did not speak a word of Italian when she arrived there, but they gave the students an immersion course to start and she was fluent in Italian by the end of the semester.
She was able to go to the winter Olympics, went to Greece for spring break, skied in Switzerland, went to Venice for Carnivale, hiked the Cinque Terre, and toured throughout Italy.
At the end of the semester, I went to Italy (having never been) and we traveled together for two weeks. It was wonderful.
It does get expensive, though, so be prepared!
She and another student from her college lived with an Italian family, so she really learned a lot about the culture. She did not speak a word of Italian when she arrived there, but they gave the students an immersion course to start and she was fluent in Italian by the end of the semester.
She was able to go to the winter Olympics, went to Greece for spring break, skied in Switzerland, went to Venice for Carnivale, hiked the Cinque Terre, and toured throughout Italy.
At the end of the semester, I went to Italy (having never been) and we traveled together for two weeks. It was wonderful.
It does get expensive, though, so be prepared!
Nov 28th, 2008, 10:05 PM
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I actually work for Edinburgh university,but mainly deal with post-graduate and post doctorate study (Biomedical sciences).
Edinburgh is a wonderful city to study (and live)in,with a diverse range of subjects catered for.there are several campuses in various parts of the city,but Edinburgh is quite small and it is easy to get to them all,well most, the Vetinary stuff is mainly outside the city.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate
this link will give you lots of info.
there is a very good support network for students ,British and from elsewhere and the Student association will give lots of advice.
http://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/
hope this helps
Edinburgh is a wonderful city to study (and live)in,with a diverse range of subjects catered for.there are several campuses in various parts of the city,but Edinburgh is quite small and it is easy to get to them all,well most, the Vetinary stuff is mainly outside the city.
http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate
this link will give you lots of info.
there is a very good support network for students ,British and from elsewhere and the Student association will give lots of advice.
http://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/
hope this helps
Nov 28th, 2008, 10:23 PM
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Studying abroad gets very expensive with living expenses,traveling and just having that cup of coffee or beer at the pub. Keep that in mind when one studies in the UK -the pound versus the dollar will kill you despite it having gone down lately.
Nov 28th, 2008, 10:31 PM
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Also forgot to add that I heard on our PBS station recently that Florence has the highest concentration of American students than any other city in Italy.Wouldn't she rather study someplace where her college major credits will transfer back and that she can actually immerse herself in living in that culture?
The last time I was in Florence on a layover, all of the American students were playing beer pong!Think of cities outside of the box and do your research on the internet. Don't accept what your international student affairs office is pushing-its usually more expensive and the courses leave alot to be desired.
I have a dear friend whose daughter studies at U of Michigan and is going to Florence in January-she is stuck taking courses like "Women's Studies" instead of something that has to do with Italy or Florence.
I studied in Florence and surrounding areas while in college many years back but I took Italian history and art courses.
My son studied in Prague and Torino Italy and my daughter studied in Sicily-I found the study abroad programs for both and it worked out alot better than what their respective colleges were offering. You do have to make sure that the courses are accepted before you go and that you will get credit or its a waste of time.What is she majoring in? Good luck!
The last time I was in Florence on a layover, all of the American students were playing beer pong!Think of cities outside of the box and do your research on the internet. Don't accept what your international student affairs office is pushing-its usually more expensive and the courses leave alot to be desired.
I have a dear friend whose daughter studies at U of Michigan and is going to Florence in January-she is stuck taking courses like "Women's Studies" instead of something that has to do with Italy or Florence.
I studied in Florence and surrounding areas while in college many years back but I took Italian history and art courses.
My son studied in Prague and Torino Italy and my daughter studied in Sicily-I found the study abroad programs for both and it worked out alot better than what their respective colleges were offering. You do have to make sure that the courses are accepted before you go and that you will get credit or its a waste of time.What is she majoring in? Good luck!
Nov 29th, 2008, 02:27 AM
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Just popping in to say that I think a college sophomore should be deciding on her own where to go to school. If her choice proves to be a mistake, she should be the one to make it and learn from it. I don't think the lesson you want her to learn is "Why did I listen to my mother?"
I know no end of fully grown (in some cases elderly!) adults who still wish they had not been steered into some kind of college experience that was their parent's wish and not theirs. Many of them will freely confess that their response was to simply slack off and goof off in rebellion at being pushed to go someplace they didn't want to go. Their academics suffered as a result, and they wasted a lot of their parent's money.
It makes sense to help collect important info about logistics like transferring credits and bottom-line budgets, and even tales of which foreign schools offer the best support networks. But I'd stay out of it trying to push for one cultural experience over another.
I know no end of fully grown (in some cases elderly!) adults who still wish they had not been steered into some kind of college experience that was their parent's wish and not theirs. Many of them will freely confess that their response was to simply slack off and goof off in rebellion at being pushed to go someplace they didn't want to go. Their academics suffered as a result, and they wasted a lot of their parent's money.
It makes sense to help collect important info about logistics like transferring credits and bottom-line budgets, and even tales of which foreign schools offer the best support networks. But I'd stay out of it trying to push for one cultural experience over another.
Nov 29th, 2008, 04:53 PM
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I attended a short summer semester at Exeter College in Oxford. I won a scholarship that paid my expenses there. I applied for that specific graduate student scholarship because I had always dreamed of living and studying in England. I still can't believe I got to do it. I had a fabulous time because I was in one of the countries I love best in the world.
If your daughter has a favorite country she would like to visit, and her school will accept credits from a school there, perhaps that is how she can settle on where to go.
If your daughter has a favorite country she would like to visit, and her school will accept credits from a school there, perhaps that is how she can settle on where to go.
Nov 30th, 2008, 09:54 AM
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Thank you for all the suggestions. There are so many programs and great opportunities out there! My daughter has visited her school's study abroad office and has been checking to see which program's courses would fulfill her college's requirements. She is a Psychology major and English minor.
I'm really not trying to talk her into choosing a certain program but knew Fodorites on this board would understand my love of Italy. My daughter has decided against Florence because she has heard there are so many American students there and I think she made a good decision. At the moment, it looks like London is her top choice (her college has a program there.) And yes, we are saving, saving, saving our $ for this!
I'm really not trying to talk her into choosing a certain program but knew Fodorites on this board would understand my love of Italy. My daughter has decided against Florence because she has heard there are so many American students there and I think she made a good decision. At the moment, it looks like London is her top choice (her college has a program there.) And yes, we are saving, saving, saving our $ for this!
Dec 1st, 2008, 04:11 AM
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On the money issue - yes, it does depend on what school she is attending now. My daughter is at a private school so we pay a pretty large tuition. We paid the tuition to the school, just like in any other year, not any difference - not saying we got a good deal, just that it would have been the same as if she had NOT gone abroad.
I gave my daughter the amount of money I would have paid to the school for her dorm room & meal plan. She used this to pay for the dorm room in France (she actually had to pay them monthly) and for food and other expenses while abroad. She says that she feels badly because she actually came out ahead on the deal! We paid for her 2 transatlantic flights including her one visit home at Christmas. I also gave her a "certificate" for her birthday that said I would pay for two inter-Europe flights/trains while she was gone and she used that to pay for the Morocco & Poland transportation. Otherwise, she paid for her own weekends to Paris, Germany, etc. And she had QUITE a good time going to the bars, clubs, etc. - and this was all while the Euro was quite high (she came home in June).
The biggest additional expense of her going there was that her dad and I had to visit as well!
I gave my daughter the amount of money I would have paid to the school for her dorm room & meal plan. She used this to pay for the dorm room in France (she actually had to pay them monthly) and for food and other expenses while abroad. She says that she feels badly because she actually came out ahead on the deal! We paid for her 2 transatlantic flights including her one visit home at Christmas. I also gave her a "certificate" for her birthday that said I would pay for two inter-Europe flights/trains while she was gone and she used that to pay for the Morocco & Poland transportation. Otherwise, she paid for her own weekends to Paris, Germany, etc. And she had QUITE a good time going to the bars, clubs, etc. - and this was all while the Euro was quite high (she came home in June).
The biggest additional expense of her going there was that her dad and I had to visit as well!
(And it would be the cheapest to live in.)
