<p>My D, an English major, is planning on doing a semester abroad in the Spring. She was all set to apply to St. Andrews--it was all she would talk about for the past year but now that it's time to apply she's been reading American student reviews of the place and they are not good, and some of the reviewers wish they'd applied to the University of Edinburgh instead. Now D's getting cold feet about St. Andrews and leaning, based on very little information and some unhappy reviews, towards Edinburgh instead. </p>
<p>D is currently at a small LAC (which she loves) that also has its share of "traditions", so the size of the place and general quirkiness aren't the issues. I'm wondering if her trepidation is related to stuff she's heard about the coursework, the faculty, the general social climate, the social climate as it relates to students who are only going to be there for one semester (and Spring semester at that), the actual physical climate or what. I don't really care which university she chooses, although I've heard Edinburgh is a great city with lots to do (vs St. Andrews which consists of a village, a University and a golf course). </p>
<p>Has anyone had experience with one or both universities and can give me some insight here?</p>
<p>A big part of the answer is your daughters temperament: at Edinburgh, the university is in and of the city (think: NYU), v St Andrews, a small, rural campus (think Kenyon). There are plenty of Americans at Edinburgh, and plenty of international students, but St Andrews has more and is arguably the most “Americanized” uni in the UK. How adventurous is she / is she ready to be? she will have to be more ‘in charge’ of her own experience in Edinburgh- will that suit her? </p>
<p>I am assuming that your D is an experienced reader of reviews, and knows that knowing something about the reviewer is an important part of deciding if the review is relevant to you (think movie reviews). Also, that more people post with complaints than post with compliments. I am also assuming that she understands that people process change and new situations differently- and that sometimes those things harder than people expect them to be. Cue dissatisfaction. </p>
<p>Also, has she looked up the class(es) she would take at each place yet? </p>
<p>No matter which she chooses she will find many many things to be very different from her LAC, from drinking habits to marking schemes. Is she an ‘in for a penny, in for pound’ person?</p>
<p>The above is so true. My S goes to SA, and loves it. If she goes to SA and doesn’t know anyone there, I can ask my son to introduce her to a few people when she gets there. PM me if this might help.</p>
<p>Edinburgh is a fantastic uni too, and personally, I don’t think she would go wrong going to either. Whatever she decides, I am sure she will have a great experience.</p>
<p>D is leaning towards U of E because of their academics and the broader scope of classes to select from but is concerned about how well she’d be able to integrate herself into campus life and make friends given that she’ll be there only Spring semester when everyone else has had all of Fall semester to assemble their circles of friends for the year. Because it’s a city campus it’s potentially that more isolating, whereas St. Andrews’ traditions help forge social connections. </p>
<p>Are the study abroad students, in either Edinburgh or St. Andrews limited to choosing courses in their majors or can they try for courses in other subjects as well? </p>
<p>D has managed to survive a summer by herself in an apartment in NYC while doing an internship so I think she can manage on a city campus well enough. She’s not much into drinking as a form of entertainment, however. What kind of clubs or school-sponsored extra curricular associations does either place have and can one join in mid-year? D sings in her current college choir and would also be interested in participating in student publications, in which she has considerable experience.</p>
<p>Europe is pretty liberal in general about drinking and they are allowed to drink at 18 which mean people are not having secret parties. It will be all out in the open.</p>
<p>Isn’t what she can study based on her current college?</p>
<p>The study abroad course options will be determined by the program she is in, and they are the people who can answer their questions.</p>
<p>Spring term is a great term to be there- spring comes early, and everybody is ready to get out and about after the winter darkness. Both unis, like pretty much all US colleges have loads of clubs, typically all student run. Fresh energy is generally welcomed at any time! </p>
<p>If she is in one of Edinburgh’s dorms she won’t be isolated, but the bigger thing is that UK students watch out for each and are involved with each other in a fundamentally different way than US students. Students stick together. </p>
<p>Drinking is a <em>very</em> big part of the culture, but there are plenty of other activities, including choir and student newspapers. </p>
<p>As she managed NYC this summer I would guess that she would be more than able for Edinburgh. She is doing the small rural college for her primary college experience, so (imo) it makes sense to go for the different experience.</p>
<p>Either school could be fantastic, big city or small village, which suits her. We have visited both, I could absolutely imagine spending six months or a year in St Andrews, personally.</p>