USAC Scotland: St Andrews - Full Curriculum

St. Andrews is such a great school and a beautiful location. Everything was awesome but I'll mention any negatives to the trip. Do not bring or purchase convertors for plugs. For phone and computer chargers just buy new ones there. The residence halls will confiscate your convertors and screw you over. They took all my chargers and lost them so I'm out 200$. Also prepare for not the nicest weather if you are used to sun and warmth. It rains a lot, very cloudy, and very windy. I recommend taking vitamin d supplement. St. Andrews is a very small town and in the middle of no where so you may feel a little trapped if you're more of a city person. There are cities nearby and the public transport is super convenient and cheap. Prepare for there to be nothing like a Walmart/Target and only small shops which may be an inconvenience. Otherwise, it's right on the north sea and the ocean is gorgeous. It has such a great history and I would really recommend if you are a theology student. This school has a real spirit for theology and if you are one of ten theology majors at your school it is an awesome experience to be in a school with such a rich theological school. Theology is super progressive and classes are ten times easier than in the U.S and you may feel underworked (which is great for travelling).

I had the most incredible time studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland for a semester! If you are on the fence about applying for this program, I would 100% encourage you to go for it! I grew so much, learned a ton, and had so many amazing experiences! The town of St. Andrews is everything you want in a college town; it is very walkable, has lots going on, and is located right on the coast. I loved living there and getting to explore Scotland and its rich culture! The university itself has top-tier academics, and my classes and professors were fascinating. There are also tons of societies and events that I was able to participate in, and everyone was so welcoming! I made so many new friends and had a blast. I also had the opportunity to travel to other European countries while I was abroad, allowing my love of travel to blossom and my confidence to grow. Study abroad can be daunting, but it is so worth it! Plus, USAC was a huge help with application and predeparture logistics. It was nice to be in the USAC program with other aboard students, as we quickly became friends and a support system to each other. I am so grateful for my experience at St. Andrews; I just wish I could do it all over again!

I had the BEST time at the University of St. Andrews!! I met people who I would’ve never imagined I would have so much in common with! I was able to strengthen them my academic abilities, and make great friends while going to school on the coast of the North Sea!! St. Andrews is a BEAUTIFUL town and I highly recommend a visit if you ever get a chance.

I had an amazing time studying abroad in St. Andrews, Scotland for a semester. There were so many clubs and groups to get involved with at the university, as well as events hosted at the dorms. And USAC's planned field trips were amazing, taking us to some of the most beautiful places in my life, such as a castle on the ocean. Honestly the best part of college.

Participating on this program with USAC was a great experience! I was very thankful to have USAC as a third party between me and the university as they provided a lot of support that is geared towards exchange students that the university does not give such as detailed arrival details and assistance navigating academic impacts from strikes. The University of St Andrews is a beautiful school that has a large international population so there are always students that are in the same boat, whether it is studying for the semester or the year. I really liked living in the residence halls as it made it super easy to meet people and make friends. The university hosts a ton of events that are very fun to attend and the sports teams and workout groups are easy to join and welcoming even if you will only be there for a semester. The town itself is truly one of the best in Scotland as it as so much to offer from history, to beach views, to the golf course. St Andrews is totally walkable and being able to walk through the town to get to my classes was truly one of my favorite parts of the program as I felt very immersed in the town and not entirely trapped in the Uni scene. The school is very supportive of abroad students and is also willing to help and ensure that everyone is having a good experience. The town's close proximity to the train station makes it easy to visit other parts of the country and keeps the town from ever feeling too small. St Andrews is a very unique place and I loved every second of my time there and am so thankful I chose this program!

This study abroad experience certainly had its ups and downs; however, reflecting back on my experience, I learned so much about myself. I put myself into sometimes uncomfortable positions, but that is the only way that you should do a study abroad. It is a chance for you to go outside your comfort zone and expand those boundaries. I could not recommend doing a study abroad enough. I had such an amazing time overseas!

Scotland holds many historical castles, stunning coasts, and unique people. They also have a large amount of fields, sheltering fluffy cows with large horns. My time abroad allowed me to meet like minded people, being at an elite university. I was able to engulf myself is rare opportunities, such as participating in an archery competition older than the United States. I was fortunate enough to travel all across Europe, visiting places like Vienna, Budapest, and Versailles. I made friends from all over the world and broadened my understanding of the human condition. I ate haggis, and learned I didn’t like haggis! I ran into the North Sea to wash away academics sins on the first sunrise of May — a yearly tradition. I fell in love with a little seaside town. I wandered the hills around St Andrews with people from four nationalities before we found some highland cows and had a picnic. Take a leap. Be bold. Make some memories. Enjoy it!

I spent a semester in St. Andrews wandering the adorable streets and studying in the cutest coffee shops. The classes were interactive and challenging in a way that made me grow my academic knowledge and made me a better student. I got to travel around Scotland via train and car, exploring all of the amazing landmarks and historical sites that have shaped the life of the Scots. I had the most amazing time on the field trips put on by USAC, and I was able to make lifelong friends with others in this program also at St. Andrews. The leaders of the trips hired by USAC were charming and engaging, letting us play our own music in the vans and giving us insider tips about how best to travel around Scotland. My accommodation was in university housing; I was in the dorm St. Salvator's which just so happens to be the same dorm that Prince William and Princess Kate stayed in while they were at St. Andrews, so that was pretty amazing. Not to mention all of the outstanding events the hall put on including a Harry Potter themed dinner, a ball, and hall sports! I had the time of my life in St. Andrews and am already planning my trip back to Scotland! I 10/10 recommend studying in this unbelievably gorgeous and inviting country!! How can this program be improved? The first field trip I took as part of the USAC program was quite disorganised. The leader of the trip was not the same person as we had been told in the emails, so we were all a little confused at first. Also, upon arrival to St. Andrews, the communication between USAC and me was pretty much nonexistent. I was fine with this as I was able to gain a lot of independence and figure things out for myself, but it would have been nice to have a little bit more of a connection with the USAC employee about getting around St. Andrews and my resources there.

St. Andrews, Scotland is called The Bubble because of its location. It a tiny, 3 main street university town with a lot of things to do within and around St. Andrews. The curriculum and academics in St. Andrews were beyond phenomenal. Professors immersed themselves in the topic and had a passion for what they were discussing. The food was exceptional. There were so many options and many of them were local. The accommodations, pricey, but well worth it. I loved living in David Russel Apartments because despite the 30 minute walk to the plaza, it was a beautiful walk and the apartments were quiet enough to study in. St. Andrews is an amazing town, not only because of its outstanding university but also because of the traditions that you inherit when you become a student. I was living and studying in a place with over 600 years of history and many weird, but amusing, traditions to follow. It was also relatively easy to get to other cities or countries from St. Andrews, too.