IFSA University of Edinburgh Partnership

IFSA-Butler did an incredible job of helping students to both adjust to life abroad and find their place within a new city. I felt very supported from before I even got on the plane to Edinburgh, Scotland up to the end of my semester abroad. IFSA-Butler helped me choose the right classes for me and work through those classes when I needed it. One of my favorite parts about the opportunities IFSA opened up for me were the sponsored trips I attended to a homestay and the Highlands of Scotland. My homestay in Cumbria, England at Learning Field CIC allowed me to learn about another culture and understand how life on a farm is. The trip we took for a weekend into the Highlands was incredible! From learning about sheepdog training to tasting whiskey at the Glenlivet distillery to searching for Nessie to learning about the Battle of Culloden and visiting Glencoe, my weekend was filled with adventure and knowledge. I would even say my entire semester was filled with a growth in knowledge and a plethora of adventure! I couldn't be more grateful for my fulfilling semester in Edinburgh, Scotland.

I absolutely adored my time in Edinburgh. I wanted a program where I could study abroad for the entire year and IFSA provided just that opportunity. They made it very clear from the beginning that the program advisors would be there for me as little or as much as I needed them. I knew I could reach out at anytime if I had any problem and they always gave me wonderful and insightful advice. They encouraged me to get involved in a variety of student activities and it was this that really made my year. I joined a competition a cappella group and made some of the best friends I have ever had. We ended up winner the Scottish A Cappella Championships, which was amazing. I also received expert advice on how best to save money in the city and how to take advantage of the different modes of transportation to save time and expenses. The orientation we went to had a lot of good advice that really helped to prepare me for living on my own in a foreign city. I now have many of my closest friendships based in Edinburgh and I am hoping for the opportunity to move back there sometime soon however that may be possible! I can't recommend IFSA University of Edinburgh highly enough.

I have always wanted to study abroad. I knew since I was in 5th grade that this was an all time dream for me. Little did I know that my study abroad experience would be greater than I could ever imagine! I created life long relationships, realized that I wanted to live abroad for a period of time after college, and had the opportunity to further my progression in becoming a global citizen. I am so grateful for the moments I had, and I know that I will cherish my time abroad forever. Edinburgh, Scotland, and the University of Edinburgh was exactly what I was looking for, and IFSA-Butler made my transition into a new city effortless, giving me the independence and confidence to make friends with people different to me and from different places. Thank you IFSA-Butler and to Scotland!!

"Why Scotland?", you might ask? My reply, "Why NOT Scotland?!" Almost a year ago today, I left the States for what I now reflect back on as the best 4 months of my college experience. As someone who had never been abroad before last year, I was fairly nervous for this new adventure. Thankfully, I knew that my IFSA representative Michelle had set me up to be fully prepared as I made my way across time zones to the UK. Arriving into the Edinburgh airport I was filled with excitement as my two best friends and I joined hands and headed into a cab driving on the WRONG side of the road. I still don't know if the American in me will ever get over driving on the left. The next few days were filled with orientation by the IFSA program office in Edinburgh. Several lovely folks explained what we should expect over the next few months, and how we should prepare for the homestay which they had arranged for the coming weekends. After a whirlwind of a long weekend, we were finally dropped at our flats and ready to explore. Looking back, the one word I would use to describe Scotland is "wee". And I use this word in the best way possible. The country itself feels like a small town. Each person that you meet greets you with a smile like they've known you as an old friend, and would sit down to have whiskey and chips to talk for hours. The small shops fill the small streets, and even the coffees are small. The country wraps you up, and makes you feel warm inside, and I promise it's not just from all the whiskey and gin (though that is pretty good too). One of the most amazing parts of being in Edinburgh was that each part of the city had history. From the Palace of Holyroodhouse, to Edinburgh Castle, to Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill, every step that you take there is history that dates back centuries. I mean, imagine walking to starbucks and you have to take the road past the castle, incredible! Though there is plenty of older history, there is also very current history on the streets that you walk. Almost every day I walked past the cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" *cue fan-girl me* or down Victoria Street where she based Diagon Alley off of. Very frequently too would I walk by camera crews filming car chases for the film Fast and Furious 9. For such a small city, there are a thousand amazing things happening on the daily. The academics at the University of Edinburgh are unlike any American university that I've ever seen, but it just makes your experience abroad that much more of an adventure. The course schedule at the University is very flexible to allow the student time for class, studies and extra-curriculars. While abroad I was part of the Edinbellas, and all female acapella group at the University! I also took a full course load of classes, and had plenty of time to travel around Europe on the weekends. Much of the hard work involved in these courses at UoE comes in around finals time. There isn't too much homework throughout the semester so exams are about 60% or more of your final grade. This does provide you with more free time throughout the months of September - November, but be prepared for a December of hitting the books. Though the campus is spread out around the city, everything is very walkable, just make sure to bundle up because the winters can get mighty cold! A very unique part of the IFSA at University of Edinburgh program is the home stay, which happened for me around the end of September. I had the privilege of staying at a farm in North Cumbria, England. Here I got to see the wondrous UK countryside, which is absolutely breathtaking. Imagine the greenest green you've ever seen, and then make it greener. That is the English/Scottish countryside. Just miles and miles of rolling green hills, and the furriest little cows and sheep that one has ever seen. Since I spent most of my days in the city, having this weekend to wander the countryside melted my heart. I think this was truly the moment that I fell in love with my study abroad experience and knew that it would absolutely change my life forever. I do not think that there will ever be a day when I do not dream of being in Scotland. Especially during this pandemic, a scone and hot breakfast tea at the National Museum of Scotland on a rainy day has never seemed more appealing. I know that it is such a clique to say "Study Abroad Changed my Life" but I cannot think of anything more true about the experience that I had. I feel like a more independent adult, and a more cultured citizen after spending my time in the UK. Between the people that I met from around the globe, to the places that I was able to travel, my time abroad gave me perspective that I may not have gathered any other way. As nerve racking as it might be, there is nothing more incredible than an experience abroad. Words cannot do it justice. So, take my advice and plan a study abroad to see for yourself just how incredible of a journey it is.

Scotland, a beautiful land full of adventure and kindness, community and acceptance. From the lowlands to the highlands, this beautiful country was stunning and full of life. I enjoyed my time in Edinburgh which seemed stuck in medieval times with castles, cobbled pathways, and gothic-esque architecture. The ability to live in a city in which the historical essence has been preserved was amazing. Though on the outside everything seemed ancient, Edinburgh is at the forefront of modern living. Public transport is easily accessible, Wi-Fi was not hard to find (there was even some on the buses!), and my university accommodations were excellent. Before starting University, IFSA held an orientation in which academics, city life, culture, and other helpful tidbits of knowledge were discussed. The orientation was partially helpful, and I learned enough to be safe in the city; however, I do wish there would have been more structured tours in tutorials for example how to take the various transport shuttles. The academics at the University are top-notch and if you except to slack academically think again. Lecturers, as well as tutors, expect active engagement with the material in addition to engagement with peers. Though the contact hours vary greatly from the United States and the number of classes which a student is required to take is lower does not mean it is easier in any way. A big problem that I had with the university at times is the way the information would be presented. In the United States, I attend a historically black college/ university (HBCU) and major in African American Studies. I took an African Studies class, a Spanish class, and a sociology class. The Spanish class was amazing, difficult, and challenged me to truly learn the language. The sociology class was introductory and covered a wide range of topics. The class was fine, but some examples used within the class specifically when it came to people of color seemed wrong and raised a few of my feathers. The African studies course was were a lot of my problems resided. The course is an African studies course which did not focus on Africa, but rather the "global south" in its entirety. The readings for the class were mostly from European writers or writers of color that did not have a background in African Studies (I do not recall any being African). This through me for a loop and made me question the integrity of the class at least under the department of African Studies. Even though the class did not meet my expectations; I still learned a lot from the class and it is worth the look for anyone interested in global initiatives. Now in regards to the IFSA-side of things, IFSA had two major excursions for the duration of our semester abroad. The first was a trip to the highlands. This was a fun and beautiful trip. We travelled the highlands for a weekend stopped at a sheep farm, a whiskey distillery, went to Fort George, the site of the battle of Culloden, saw Loch ness (sadly not the monster, Nessie!), and enjoyed a stay in Inverness. The scenery was beautiful and I had a great time. The other excursion was a weekend homestay. We were split into groups and sent all over Scotland and Northern England. My group went to a small village named Shap in Northern England. We got to go to a festival, and my home family was amazing and welcoming. As an African American, I was a little afraid of how I would be received but after 5 minutes that fear was tossed out the window. Overall, my experience in Scotland was a 9/10. The people were lovely, IFSA's two major excursions were fun and offered a little more insight into Scotland. The only improvements I would suggest is having a get together for the students in Edinburgh and Glasgow in Glasgow and another in Edinburgh so that we can make more connections, and having students pick the mini-excursions so that they are more likeable. IFSA does a great job as well with checking on the well-being of their students as we are spread throughout the city.

I could not have had a better experience than my time in Edinburgh during the Fall semester of 2019. Between attending a prestigious university in one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to and making many incredible friends, I was exactly where I needed to be. I underwent a lot of personal growth, and through this cross-cultural immersion I know I became more of a global citizen. During my time in Edinburgh, I was very grateful to have a support system like IFSA-Butler. Upon arrival, I felt welcomed and more comfortable knowing I would be far from alone my first few days adjusting. Having an IFSA orientation allowed me to meet some people in the same position as me and then be more open to befriending people unlike me following the orientation. By the time I moved into my flat, I felt refreshed and ready for the semester! I found that my best friends were both from IFSA and within my flat, from England and Spain! Additionally, there were more events hosted by IFSA throughout the semester that kept us supported and tied to each other. I had the opportunity to travel and explore Edinburgh, and I would highly recommend studying abroad as it can truly change your life. It changed mine for the better!

I spent a semester at University of Edinburgh through IFSA Scotland's program. The University of Edinburgh is a prestigious school, known for an incredible history of important philosophers, writers, historians, etc. Naturally, as a Political Science student, I was very interested in their program. I applied through IFSA, and they were incredibly accommodating and stayed in constant touch to answer any questions I had about life in Scotland, applying to the program, paper work, housing, etc. Throughout the entire application process, the IFSA staff were incredibly helpful, I never felt afraid to contact them with a question, no matter how small. Once I arrived in Scotland, I was greeted at the airport by the IFSA Scotland team, who held an extensive 3-4 day orientation, in which they answered a variety of questions and gave important advice about living in Edinburgh and attending university. The team guided us through every adjustment, from getting a UK SIM card to picking classes and finalizing course schedules. They also provided important historical and cultural background, which I found helped me immerse myself in Scottish culture. Throughout the semester, IFSA also organized different programming and events, which expanded our knowledge and appreciation for the local culture. The IFSA staff also periodically checked in with us to make sure that we were adjusting to the different academic and culture challenges of studying abroad. IFSA did a great job with helping students adjust overall.The University of Edinburgh is a great school for students who are seeking to study abroad because it both maintains a strong Scottish legacy and culture, while also being incredibly welcoming to international students and accommodating. The University is a hub for international students from all over, all with unique cultures that come together to make the university feel incredibly unique, and unlike anywhere I have ever been. It is truly a wonderful, welcoming environment, and I am so happy that I studied abroad there.

My time in Edinburgh was incredible. IFSA was supportive, knowledgeable, and the trips they planned were fantastic. My life changed after I studied in Scotland and a lot of it is thanks to the IFSA staff who helped me through it all.

After spending a day in Edinburgh a few years ago, I knew I wanted to return when I studied abroad. When the time came, I had to decide whether to do that with a program or not. In the end, I chose to go with the IFSA program and thank goodness I did! Pre-arrival newsletters and then orientation itself made it very easy to adjust expectations for the coming semester and adapt to the new lifestyle and culture when I arrived. Orientation also allowed me to make friends before moving into my flat and beginning classes. Coming from a small college, navigating the bureaucracy of a large school (University of Edinburgh has as many visiting students as my school has total) was made extremely simple by having IFSA there to help. It received a lot of stress and enabled me to focus on studying and exploring this gorgeous country. While at University of Edinburgh, I took Introduction to Gaelic Language and Culture; International Development, Aid, and Humanitarianism; and Russian Sociolinguistics and Language Policy. The last one was a higher level course that I had to switch into, which was easy to do with IFSA's help. These courses were similar to classes in the States, but had a lighter workload and fewer hours in the classroom. Although the workload was lighter, it is important to not get complacent or you will have troubles during exam time. Exams are the same as in the States, but perhaps in a slightly different setting as there will multiple courses sitting their exams in the same room simultaneously. I travelled around Cairngorm National Park, Oban, and the Isle of Skye. I also went on the IFSA Highlands trip, which was a full weekend trip to Fort George, Culloden, Glencoe, and a distillery. This provided context for some of the history I had been learning in class. Overall, this was an amazing experience only enriched by going through it with IFSA.

I absolutely loved my experience studying abroad at the University of Edinburgh through IFSA. This was my first experience leaving the U.S., so I was very nervous and did not know what to expect for the next four months. However, I ended up transitioning fairly easily and having an overall wonderful experience. The IFSA staff gave a thorough yet efficient 3 day orientation before we moved into our student accommodation. Although I had a lot of independence for the rest of the time in Scotland, the IFSA staff regularly checked in on me and made me feel very supported. I also attended some IFSA planned events, including a weekend trip to the Scottish Highlands that was amazing! My experience at the University of Edinburgh was also very positive. I liked all my classes and enjoyed getting to feel like a normal full time student at the university. I lived in a nice flat near campus with 4 non American full time students. This experience along with my classes and the dance society I joined allowed me to be immersed in university life and in the city of Edinburgh itself. My favorite part about studying abroad was getting to live in Scotland and in Edinburgh. The country and specifically Edinburgh is such a magical place that I fell in love with. I did not know where I wanted to study abroad at first, but now after going to Edinburgh I can't imagine going anywhere else. The majestic buildings, the friendly people, and the beautiful scenery make Edinburgh a very special place.

Studying abroad at the University of Edinburgh was by far the best decision I've made in my time at university. Before going, I honestly had little interest in Scotland, and I didn't think there would be much for me to do while I was there. However, upon arriving, I was immediately greeted by amazing people, beautiful culture and history, and a whirlwind of exciting things to see and do. The best part for me was the people. Students from all across the globe came to study at UoE, ranging from Singapore, to New Zealand, to France. Getting to interact with these people gave me a glimpse of their social habits and cultures, and only spurred my interest in other countries and cultures more. Scotland as a country has so much to offer - great food and social life, beautiful scenery, fantastic photo spots (a photographer's dream really). Travelling within and outside of Scotland opens up a world of possibilities that are always waiting to be explored.

I studied abroad for a semester with IFSA at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Words cannot express how amazing of an experience it was! IFSA was always extremely organized and there to help whether it was something logistical such as sending out pre-arrival toolkits/instructions, helping us get situated and move into our flats, all the way to taking us on incredible weekend trips throughout Scotland. Studying in Edinburgh with IFSA is one of the best decisions I've ever made - truly a once in a lifetime experience that I'd do again in a heartbeat!

The IFSA program at the University of Edinburgh was fantastic. It was very well-managed, and most importantly the staffs on the field were very supportive and accessible. The financial aspect of the program was totally transparent, and thus, I did not have a lot of hassle. IFSA also assisted me with the Tier-4 visa and it was a huge relief. Other than that, the city was fantastic, and the university had a variety of courses that I took and enjoyed. I made many new friends from different parts of the world, and I miss my time there. I am fortunate to have also found friends in IFSA staffs, who still keep in touch with me. I would recommend IFSA program any day.

I thought my program (IFSA Butler) gave me the perfect balance. It provided all the resources for me to grow without being overbearing. I was able to travel, study, and really have independence, but also know that if anything ever went wrong there would be people who had my back. I really enjoyed the orientation because it gave me so much helpful information right at my fingertips. I also liked that I was able to make my own mistakes and learn from them, which I think is the most valuable experience of abroad. Not to mention all of the excursions that they took us on were such an amazing time. Especially because they took us to places that would have been so difficult/expensive to get to (Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye.) They offered support with my schoolwork and logistics of getting everything I needed. I wouldn't want to have gone abroad with any other program.

As someone who had never left the country before, I was incredibly excited and nervous to study abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Since my college is only 2 hours from my hometown, I had never been so far away from home for such an extended amount of time. I also felt a lot of pressure to actively enjoy every moment of my time abroad and have as many experiences as possible. I ended up having an amazing time in Scotland. Edinburgh is a beautiful, historic town with loads of culture (and bars). Compared to other cities I visited abroad (Such as Paris, Copenhagen, and London), Edinburgh felt more like a large town. While it lacked an underground metro, it was not missed. Most everything was within walking distance, and what was not walkable could be reached by bus. The town was also rich with both bars and, surprisingly, a thriving coffee culture. As a barista myself at an independent coffeeshop, I was very excited to test all the coffee shops around the town filled with single origin blends, home-made pastries, and acai bowls. Travel from Edinburgh was also extremely manageable and enjoyable. Other areas of Scotland were easily accessible via train from Waverly station and the airport was an easy AirLink bus ride away. During my time I visited the Isle of Skye, North Berwick, Aberdeen, and St. Andrews. The University itself is beautiful and a large part of the town. IFSA made registering for classes extremely easy. I was enrolled as a student and had classes with both other abroad students and full time students. The University itself has many international full time students from around Europe, so there was an amazing mix of different viewpoints in all my classes. IFSA also held specific events throughout the semester for its students including a food tour and weekend homestay. I stayed in the Lake District of England during my weekend homestay The area was incredibly beautiful and my host family was very warm and friendly. Overall, I would highly recommend studying abroad with IFSA and Edinburgh will always have a place in my heart.

Going abroad through IFSA-Butler was the best decision I made in college. From the start, I knew I wanted to travel to Scotland, but I had no idea what program would be the best for me. When I first started researching, I found many reviews (like these) that couldn't speak more highly of the program in Edinburgh. And they didn't disappoint. The US IFSA-Butler office was very helpful while applying and accepting my program, and very easy to contact in case I had any questions. They made the pre-departure paperwork and details so much easier to manage. Once in Edinburgh, the Scotland office was amazing. Our orientation was extremely helpful in learning to navigate the city, to meet other students on the program, and get settled in life abroad. It was only a few days, but I think that time was necessary for me to get comfortable in Edinburgh and start to already feel at home. The coordinators were so friendly, approachable, and helpful during a somewhat stressful and nerve-racking first couple of days. Over the semester, IFSA offered different excursions and day events that were all included in the program. There were food tours, a homestay weekend to one of four cities in the Scottish countryside or Northern England, and a weekend trip to Inverness and the highlands. Each event was engaging and a great way to learn a little more about Edinburgh and Scotland. Additionally, the staff scheduled drop-in sessions at the University to answer any questions about classes, homesickness, or where to get the best food. They were super accessible and supportive, no matter what you might need help with. Overall, I wouldn't change anything about my abroad with IFSA-Butler. I can't even imagine how my semester would've been if I hadn't chosen to travel on this program. Between their accessibility, support, and interesting activities or excursions, IFSA in Edinburgh is an exceptional program. I am so thankful I spent my four months on this program, they made all the difference while living in Edinburgh.

The semester I spent in Edinburgh, Scotland going through the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) Butler University program was the best time of my life. I was nervous about going to a foreign country where I knew no one, but all of my nerves were put to ease by the helpful IFSA staff. Before I left the country IFSA representatives helped me get my visa, told me what to pack, and generally prepared me before I departed for Scotland. Once I got there I immediately felt at home. The other students and I attended orientation for our first few days, which helped us assimilate into the culture and understand how to navigate Edinburgh (both literally and figuratively). Going through a program instead of directly enrolling into the University of Edinburgh was a great decision for me. Through IFSA I gained friends for life, that I otherwise may not have met during my semester. We all felt like we were in a community of like-minded individuals, who were there to support each other throughout the time we spent abroad. Every few weeks the IFSA staff held optional Community and Culture events, where students could learn about food, politics, history, sports, social media trends, and everything in between. These events were a great way to spend time with other students in the program and learn more about the country in which I was living. We even got to speak to a Member of Scottish Parliament, which I otherwise would not have been able to do. I enjoyed getting to know Scotland on a deeper level. The excursion to the Scottish highlands was an incredible opportunity that IFSA offered to its students. We were able to travel to several important Scottish places including the Culloden battlefields and Loch Ness. It was nice to have a trip that was already organized, so that we could enjoy the moment without worrying about catching a flight, getting lost, etc. Throughout the semester staff was available to meet with us on a regular basis to talk about anything from homesickness to questions about Scotland to telling us about the best restaurants. I felt supported throughout the entire process, from before I left Scotland to when I returned home. If I had to do it all over again, I would not choose any other provider; no one can compare to the amazing staff of IFSA and the support and care they provide.

I had a wonderful time in the Spring of 2016 studying abroad with IFSA-Butler at the University of Edinburgh. I made great friends (shout out to El Jefe and the Funky Bunch), had the opportunity to experience a different kind of academic system and environment, and learned so much about Scotland and the UK. Lets start with the IFSA team. The IFSA Scotland staff (at the time, Deirdra, Andrew, and Jenny), were absolutely wonderful. They were so friendly, and I felt comfortable coming to them when I had any problems or questions. I actually arrived in Edinburgh a day early, and accidentally ran into Andrew at the airport. He helped me get to the hostel, and his and Jenny's friendliness made my first few hours in the country a lot less scary. The first 3 days of orientation were also super helpful, and gave me a safety net as a navigated getting a SIM card, finding my apartment, and those sorts of things. I also felt like they provided us with the right amount of IFSA activities balanced with the right amount of space-- we were always getting emails about drop-in hours where we could go see Deirdra, so I felt like they were constantly present if I needed them. But at the same time, we weren't constantly inundated with IFSA-related things. They gave us the opportunity to go on two trips, two meals, and a few other activities (a food tour and a sports tour), which was a good amount of things to get us together with other IFSA students, but also enough to give us the freedom to explore on our own. On the other hand, though, I have my misgivings about the main US IFSA-Butler office. The website is good about telling you what forms you need to hand in, but it doesn't give much guidance on how filling those forms out is different for each location. And I had someone at the office who was supposed to be my contact to help me do all the prep work for applying and post-acceptance forms, but she wasn't very helpful, and sometimes didn't reply to emails for a week, (which, given the deadlines I had to hand things in to her, wasn't great.) For example, I had to fill out a course preference form. But no where on the UoE website does it explain to us Visiting Students that we only take 3 classes per semester. So I had picked a normal courseload of five classes, and was only told after the fact that I needed to narrow them down. This could have also been a problem if I had planned to take back 4 classes for my major, instead of 3. If IFSA had more support in that area, figuring out classes and housing would have been much smoother. That being said, my experience overall with IFSA was great. I am still friends with Deirdra on Facebook, and I am so jealous of all the suggestions she posts for her students to go do in Edinburgh! For those thinking of going abroad with IFSA, I have one main suggestion: make sure you leave the IFSA bubble. During orientation, it's very easy to make fast friends, and then stick with that group. But then, you've only made friends with other Americans studying abroad, and not other students in your host country. So make sure you go out and join clubs, meet people in pubs, and just be open to new experiences! Specifically at UoE, I joined the Creative Writing Society and went on an awesome trekking trip with the Exmoor Pony club. I leave you with a picture from that trek, and the majesty of the Pentlands, a national park just outside Edinburgh.

My fall semester abroad in Edinburgh was fantastic, thanks to IFSA-Butler. Before I was even in Scotland, IFSA was incredibly helpful with choosing classes, arranging housing, and preparing us in every possible way for our departure from home. They took so much stress off of what would otherwise have been an intense summer of preparation. I can't describe how many amazing experiences I had in Scotland, but I learned so much both inside and outside of school. The University of Edinburgh is a top-quality institution; I liked all of my professors and benefited from my classes. In my free time, I explored the historic city (including all the free museums!) and joined different student groups like the Bhangra club. I had lots of unexpected, diverse experiences with student societies, and I believe that the best way to find one's place when abroad is by joining one. IFSA-Butler enhanced my time in Scotland by planning a trip and a homestay, arranging IFSA get-togethers, and providing constant support. My homestay at a farm was my favorite weekend in Scotland, and the other IFSA weekend trip took us to beautiful places like Loch Ness and a castle. These are experiences I would not have been able to plan alone, and they showed me so much more of Scotland than I would have seen without this program. We also had a Thanksgiving get-together, which helped keep the homesickness at bay. Finally, the IFSA staff stationed in Edinburgh cared so much about all the students and made us feel comfortable in the new city. They gave us an orientation at the beginning of the program and continued to check in with us frequently throughout the semester. Tips from them about everything from exams to grocery shopping helped me adjust to my new life. I highly recommend this program; Edinburgh is a uniquely beautiful and historic city and IFSA-Butler will help you make the most out of your time in Scotland.

Right up until the moment I got on the plane I was miserable, in tears, freaking out, and basically the picture of unhappiness. I almost didn't come abroad because I was so scared to leave the comfort of home. Hindsight is 20/20 though and I'm certainly very glad that I decided to come to the University of Edinburgh for the semester. I didn't know if I would make friends, assimilate into a different culture or succeed academically. But upon arriving and meeting the wonderful IFSA-Scotland team my fears melted away with each passing second. Their orientation which takes place a couple days before the university's orientation was really helpful in establishing an early security blanket. I was able to meet some of my best friends during orientation. With the help of the IFSA-Scotland team I was able to figure out what environments were most conducive to studying in addition to how to balance my personal life and academics. But the best part about the program is that they definitely aren't the type of people to drop you off and leave you alone. They are very accessible (with fantastic response times as well!) and have intrinsic knowledge about pretty much anything that would be helpful to living and studying abroad. I don't know where I'd be without their fabulous handbook. I had to deal with a few strange incidents during my time abroad including needing a root canal right before finals but I was able to deal with it since they maintain very open lines of communication. I was able to get it taken care of with a bit of help and that was that. When I think about my time abroad it is impossible not to immediately think about the quality of the program I chose. From an early orientation to their weekend excursion to Inverness where I got to play with super adorable puppies to their Thanksgiving ceilidh, these past 4 months have provided me a lifetime's worth of memories. If I've learned anything from my time in Scotland it's that life is made up of a multitude of moments and it's about cherishing the good ones that makes life so sweet. If I had to go through all the anxiety and uncertainty of coming abroad again I wouldn't have had gone about it any other way.