Preparing to Study Abroad Scotland by IFSA-Butler

Preparing to Study Abroad

Why Did You Choose Scotland for Study Abroad?

Erin White University of Vermont IFSA-Butler Program: University of St. Andrews

I fell in love with Scotland through pictures and wanted to go see all these beautiful sites for myself.

Isabella Adamiak Rice University IFSA-Butler Program: University of Edinburgh

To not only see the wonders of this magical country but also to experience the gusto of the Scottish people and to study in one of Europe’s oldest universities was like a dream.

Katharine Longfellow University of Vermont IFSA-Butler Program: University of St. Andrews

My family is originally from Scotland and I grew up hearing about what an amazing place it is. So when the opportunity to actually live in Scotland came up, I did as much as I possibly could to make it a reality.

Matt Nicholson Butler University IFSA-Butler Program: University of Stirling

I was always intrigued with Scotland because of the incredible landscape, rich history and prominence as “The Home of Golf.”

CONTENTS 2 Welcome from IFSA-Butler 3 Welcome from Our Scotland Office 4 Overview of Scotland 8 Institute for Study Abroad Services 13 Academics 22 Finances 22 Program Fees and Financial Aid 26 Managing Your Money Abroad 28 Student Expenses Abroad 31 Getting Ready to Leave 31 Official Travel Documents 34 Booking Your Flight to Scotland 35 Insurance and Health Care 38 Packing 41 Technology and Communications 44 Living Abroad 44 Housing 47 Legal Matters 48 Health and Safety 53 Emergencies Abroad 54 Culture Shock 55 IFSA-Butler Policies 57 Information 57 Information Resources 58 Glossary 59 Scottish Food and Drink 60 About Us

Preparing to Study Abroad SCOTLAND

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Welcome from IFSA-Butler Welcome to our programs in Scotland! We’re thrilled that you’ve chosen to study abroad through IFSAButler, one of the oldest and largest nonprofit international education organizations in the United States. At IFSA-Butler, we take our slogan “More Culture. Less Shock.” very seriously. One of our top goals as an organization is to make sure that students and their parents are as prepared for the study abroad experience as possible, and this comprehensive planning guide is one way of achieving this goal. It should answer many of your questions about living and studying in Scotland, from academic and cultural differences to the cost of living abroad to packing suggestions, and everything in between. The topics covered in this guide are some of the most important issues related to study abroad in Scotland, and we’ve incorporated suggestions from past participants as well. Most of our dedicated staff, both in the U.S. and in Scotland, have lived and studied in a variety of countries. They have personally experienced the joys of living in another culture, as well as the occasional frustration! Their enthusiasm for international study and understanding of cultural issues helps us give each IFSA-Butler student a successful and enriching academic experience abroad. We wish you an exciting and successful experience in Scotland! Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Institute for Study Abroad U.S. Office 800-858-0229 A Note about Terms An understanding of the terms British, Great Britain and United Kingdom will be helpful as you read this guide, but also in your study abroad experience in general. Great Britain is mainly a geographical term to describe the large island that consists of Scotland, England and Wales. The United Kingdom is a political term that refers collectively to Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Officially the country’s name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. British or Britain pertains to anything in Great Britain or the United Kingdom. IFSA-Butler offers programs in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

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Ruth Casey Director of Scottish Programs

Welcome from Our Scotland Office We are thrilled you have chosen Scotland and are very much looking forward to meeting you! With vibrant cities, unspoiled countryside and one of the world’s most respected education systems, Scotland’s universities have been world leaders in education for more than 500 years. Your IFSA-Butler orientation will take place in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh. Not only will this be an opportunity to familiarize yourself with what you can expect vis-à-vis the Scottish academic system, you will learn about Scottish culture and politics, and meet fellow study abroad enthusiasts embarking on the same once-in-a-lifetime adventure, hailing from each corner of the United States. Following orientation, we will arrange for you to be transported to your university accommodation and ensure that you are settled. We have a full schedule of exciting events planned for you, including weekend trips in Scotland and reunion meals in your university city to name but a few. We encourage regular contact by phone and email. Our newsletters will bring you up to date on events and current affairs in Scotland, as well as the all-important academic information. We wish you a safe journey and look forward to welcoming you to our fair shores in the not-toodistant future. Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University Scotland Office

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OVERVIEW

Overview of Scotland Geography Scotland is a small country covering roughly 30,000 square miles, yet it boasts an incredible range of landscapes. Fertile farmland in the Southern Uplands gives way to the Central Lowlands, where most of the country’s population lives. The Trossachs form a line across the country that separates the Lowlands from the Highlands, which cover about two-thirds of the country. Some of Scotland’s most breathtaking scenery is in this unspoiled area of mountains, crags and lochs—including the famous Loch Ness. To the north and west lie a number of tranquil islands with their own distinct culture. Along with England, Northern Ireland and Wales, Scotland is one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom. Each country has its own culture and traditions, but they are united by a common government and currency. The U.K. is a member of the European Union. Scotland, England and Wales are an island separated from mainland Europe by the English Channel. Thanks to the influence of the surrounding seas and the Gulf stream, Scotland is mild and damp, with temperatures that rarely drop below freezing, except in the Highlands.

People Scotland’s long history goes back to the Romans, who conquered the southern part of the island but who weren’t able to completely subjugate the Highlanders. Throughout the Dark Ages, most of Scotland was ruled by small tribes of Celtic people, including the Picts, Britons and Scotti. Waves of Vikings invaded the north, adding their influence to the culture. The people of Scotland are primarily descended from Celtic or Anglo-Saxon roots. However, modern Scotland is increasingly diverse and multicultural. Immigrants from India, Pakistan, Asia and the Middle East are increasingly visible in modern Scottish society. We recommend that you read up on the history of Scotland before going abroad. See the “Information Resources” section of this booklet for more information.

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Political History Between the influences of Scotland’s varying Celtic tribes and the multiple invaders who imposed their culture on Scotland, the cultures of the Lowlands and the Highlands of Scotland became increasingly divergent by the Middle Ages. The Lowlanders melded well with the feudal system of England, whereas Highlanders were fiercely independent with their clanbased system. These different cultures and political ambitions sparked increasing strife between Scotland and England. William Wallace and Robert the Bruce were key figures in winning Scottish independence from rule by English monarchs in the 1300s. Scotland and England were ruled by different monarchs until 1603, when James VI of Scotland became James I of England. The Act of Union in 1707 reunited the English and Scottish into one country, with the Scots agreeing to disband their Parliament in exchange for preserving the Scottish church and legal system. The Scots retained their native dislike of the English over the following centuries, and their drive for independence gathered momentum in 1999 when the Scottish Parliament was reconvened for the first time in 300 years. The independence movement garnered strength and in September 2014, the country held a referendum on whether to secede from the United Kingdom and become an independent country.

Modern Politics Government Structure As part of the United Kingdom, Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s official ruler is Queen Elizabeth II, but the First Minister of the Scottish Parliament is the person primarily responsible for the development of Scottish government policy. The First Minister is the official representative of Scotland to the world and is appointed to his or her position by the Scottish Parliament. The appointment of the First Minister must be approved by the Queen. The Scottish Parliament has power over a wide range of affairs, including health and education. However, control over issues such as foreign policy, the military and immigration remains with the U.K. government led by the British Prime Minister. The United Kingdom is part of the European Union but continues to use the pound sterling as currency, rather than the Euro. Monarchy The Queen is the head of the executive branch and plays a part in the legislature. She also heads the judiciary and is the commander in chief of the armed forces.

Political Parties The dominant political parties of Scotland are the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the Labour Party. The SNP currently holds a majority government and are spearheading the independence movement. Other parties that hold small numbers of parliament seats are the Conservative and Unionist Party, Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Green Party. Independence Movement Many Scots have long lobbied to became entirely independent of the U.K. government, and this movement gained considerable traction after the restoration of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. In September 2014, Scots participated in a national referendum to vote on Scottish independence. Fifty-five percent of the population voted against independence and Scotland remains part of the U.K.

Religion Although Scotland had been a Catholic country since the Early Middle Ages, it became Protestant during the Reformation. John Knox, regarded as the leader of the Reformation, established the Church of Scotland. Today, the Presbyterian Church of Scotland is the largest church in the country, although youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also find Anglican and Catholic churches. Some larger cities have small communities of other religions, including Judaism and Islam. M O R E C U LT U R E . L E S S S H O C K .

Modern Scottish Culture British vs. Scotch vs. Scots Do not refer to the people of Scotland as British, or even worse, English. Do not use the term Scotch either, even in reference to the alcoholic beverage, which is called whisky in Scotland. The people of Scotland are properly described as Scots or Scottish. Kilts Scottish men still wear kilts for formal occasions such as weddings and cultural events such as Highland games. Often, though not always, the kilt’s tartan is unique to the wearer’s clan. Is it rude to inquire or joke about what a man is wearing under his kilt.

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Pub Culture A great deal of social life throughout Scotland centers around pubs. You can get a meal, a pint of beer or just go to chat and relax. Many pubs also offer great music. Discos, which are dance clubs that are generally louder and more expensive than pubs, are popular with college students. Manners and Formality Scots pride themselves on being friendlier, more relaxed and less formal than their English counterparts. Nevertheless, this informality doesn’t translate into a tolerance for poor manners. Always remember to say “please,” “thank you” and “pardon me.” Traditional courtesies such as giving up your seat on a bus for someone who is elderly or pregnant are still common and expected.

Communication Styles Scots tend to be less direct and more understated. A comment of “not bad” from a professor may actually be high praise for a job well done. Instead of bluntness, which is often considered rude, Scots use tone of voice, body language and facial expressions to convey their full message. Diversity Modern Scotland is increasingly diverse, with immigrants from India, Pakistan, Africa and the Middle East. In addition, IFSA-Butler works with some of the most prestigious universities in Scotland, and their excellent reputations attract students from around the globe. You are likely to live with and attend classes with a substantial number of students from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, India and elsewhere in Europe, as well as with U.K. citizens from a wide variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Going to Argyll and spelunking (gorge climbing) was such a great adventure I cannot even begin to describe it. Thanks to IFSA-Butler I got to see an absolutely beautiful piece of Scotland while climbing up waterfalls with some of the coolest people I have met. –Isabella Adamiak, Rice University University of Edinburgh

Our philosophy is to help our students achieve cultural immersion, which means we help you enroll directly into university courses and integrate into university life. We do not segregate our students from their host university communities. Stiff Upper Lip Today’s Scots may be more demonstrative in public than in previous generations, but they continue to pride themselves on their ability to stay cool and collected. Keeping a stiff upper lip is deeply ingrained in the culture, and it governs reactions to everything from serious national emergencies to poor customer service in a shop.

Sports Scots are devoted fans of sports. As you might expect from the country that invented it, golf is extremely popular. Football (don’t call it soccer!), rugby and cricket are the most beloved spectator sports. Fan loyalty, especially in football, often falls along the lines of religion; the Glasgow Rangers have mostly Protestant fans, while Catholics support the Glasgow Celtics. Highland Games Highland Games are held every summer beginning in May to celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Many of the competitions are centered on piping and drumming, dancing, and Scottish displays of physical strength, but the games also include entertainment and exhibits related to Scottish and Gaelic culture.

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SUPPORT

Institute for Study Abroad Services At IFSA-Butler, we pride ourselves on our outstanding student support and comprehensive services. We work hard to ensure that our students (and their parents!) are well prepared before departure, and that our students have an excellent experience once abroad. Below are some of the highlights of our predeparture, on-site and post-study abroad support.

Program Advisors Each IFSA-Butler Scotland program has a U.S.-based advisor who is available to answer your academic, cultural and program questions about Scotland or study abroad in general. Your program advisor processes your application, serves as the contact between you and your host university and helps prepare any necessary paperwork for your housing and courses abroad. Your program advisor is your main IFSA-Butler contact person in the U.S. and is here to help prepare you for your great adventure!

IFSA-Butler Finance Office While your program advisor is your main contact for most IFSA-Butler and study abroad questions, you or your parents may also work with the IFSA-Butler finance office on money matters. The staff in the finance office send program bills, process payments, make payments for all of your Scotland university housing and tuition, and prepare contractual agreements with U.S. universities to ensure a smooth transfer of financial aid to our programs. You can reach our finance office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET at 800-858-0229.

Scotland Office IFSA-Butler maintains a fully staffed office in Scotland dedicated to the assistance and support of our students. Support services include: • A thorough orientation for students upon their arrival • Activities and events during orientation • Organizing excursions and special events for students • Verifying the full-time course enrollment of each student • Personal and academic assistance to students • 24/7 availability for help with emergencies. You can call our Scotland office toll free within the U.K. at 0800-731-3271. The IFSA-Butler Scotland office address is: 35 Melville Street Edinburgh EH3 7JF The office is conveniently located in Edinburgh city center, just a short walk from the Edinburgh Haymarket station. Our staff are available to assist you throughout your study abroad program.

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Predeparture Preparation Materials IFSA-Butler prepares you for your study abroad experience by sending a series of publications, updates and emails. These materials include: •

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Advising emails from your IFSA-Butler program advisor. These emails cover some general Scotland preparations such as visa application instructions and health insurance information, but they mostly center on details specific to your program and host city. Money Matters, a leaflet focused on program fees, financial aid, scholarships and other topics related to finances. This Preparing to Study Abroad guide.

We send all of the above materials to parents of our students. We also send bills to parents. If you don’t want your parents to receive these materials, you must notify us in writing and also provide an alternate billing address.

Travel Services IFSA-Butler partners with STA Travel to offer travel booking assistance for our students. There are several advantages to booking your flight reservations through STA: • • • • •

Work with an experienced travel agent Lock in the price of your international ticket with a deposit and pay the rest later Reduce or eliminate change fees with the option of a Multiflex Pass for flexible travel dates Compare airfare prices between airlines so you book a ticket that works for your budget and travel time International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is included

Any program student who arrives on their program date within the published arrival window will be provided with ground transportation from the airport to IFSA-Butler orientation.

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Scotland Orientation The IFSA-Butler orientation, held in Edinburgh, will prepare you for the academic and cultural changes you can expect in Scotland. It’s also a great opportunity for you to learn more about our on-site services abroad. You must plan your travel so that you arrive in time for the first day of orientation at the time designated in your predeparture materials. During orientation, our Scotland staff will address the following topics, all geared toward helping you better understand your new environment and easing your adjustment into your new culture: • • • • • • • • • •

Differences between U.S. and Scotland academics An overview of Scotland’s culture Safety abroad Course registration and other academic practices Individual university sessions Housing Health care Immigration documents and requirements Study abroad survival skills Distribution of wallet-sized emergency cards, which include emergency numbers for police, fire and ambulance, as well as our Scotland office after-hours emergency number

To help you adjust to local time and overcome jet lag, we organize the orientation schedule around relaxing activities that may include a bus tour, some dinners and lunches, and ample free time to explore Edinburgh. Housing and Meals During Orientation During orientation, we house students in a hotel. IFSA-Butler provides some meals during the orientation, but don’t forget to budget funds for the meals that aren’t included, as well as your free time entertainment. See your budget planner or the “Cost of Living” section of this book. Summer Orientation Our summer program orientation is abbreviated due to the shorter academic schedules of summer programs, but it includes all of the key cultural, academic and safety issues listed above. A lunch, dinner, evening excursion and other activities are also included. Important: For All Students All of our orientation meetings and activities are mandatory. IFSA-Butler reserves the right to withdraw you from the program, with no refund, if you miss all or part of the orientation.

Post-Orientation Activities—Semester and Year Programs IFSA-Butler offers numerous excursions and events as part of our semester and year programs in Scotland. All of these activities are included in our program fee unless otherwise noted. The following co-curricular activities allow our students to get out and see Scotland’s glorious countryside: • Highland weekend (fall): Includes sightseeing throughout the Highlands, castles, hill walking, visit to a working sheepdog farm, a visit to Glencoe and a visit to Loch Ness. • Isle of Skye weekend (spring): Includes tour of the Highlands and the magical Isle of Skye, visits to the Cuillin Mountains and hiking to the Old Man of Storr. Students also visit Armadale Castle, Glencoe, Rannoch Moor and Eilean Donan Castle. • Argyll adventure weekend (spring): Includes a ferry trip from Gourock to the beautiful town of Dunoon, a guided night walk through the Argyll woodland, a visit to Scotland’s oldest National Park and an opportunity to see the spectacular views of Loch Lomond. Outdoor activities include hiking, underground caving, canoeing, mountain biking, gorge scrambling (spelunking) and a high ropes course. 10

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These weekends are popular, so it is important that you respond to the invitation before the deadline. If you are interested in the weekend, please pack hiking boots, rugged rain gear and some warm clothing for these activities. No refund is available if you choose not to participate. Special Events In addition to the weekend excursions, our Scotland office arranges special events throughout the year for students. In the fall, the office hosts a Thanksgiving celebration and a Christmas afternoon tea. During the spring semester, the office organizes a farewell event. Family Visit IFSA-Butler arranges a brief stay in the home of a Scottish family for semester and year students. The family may be located anywhere in Scotland or the U.K. At the IFSA-Butler orientation in Scotland, our staff will give additional information about the location of your visit; we won’t know your host family’s address until then. Each university group travels together to a certain area to meet their host families. The family visit is a valuable and mandatory part of our semester program. IFSA-Butler does not issue refunds to students who miss the family visit.

My favorite memory of Scotland is my weekend homestay. It was incredible to see the countryside and coast of North Eastern Scotland. I adored my host family, who welcomed me into their home. I went home with a few new recipes (some traditional Scottish food) and the amazing memory of helping to plow a field on their farm. –Teresa Neri, Fordham University University of Edinburgh Parliamentary Internship Program

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Post-orientation Activities—Summer Programs IFSA-Butler offers a smaller number of co-cirrucular activities for summer students. Events vary by location but usually include a lunch and at least one visit to a historic or cultural site in the region of the summer program. In addition, most host universities offer cultural events and entertainment as part of their summer programs. We encourage our summer students to take advantage of these activities as much as possible.

Emergency Assistance Abroad One of IFSA-Butler’s most important services is our emergency assistance to students. Our staff in Scotland are trained in crisis management and have extensive experience handling student incidents and emergencies. Our staff in Scotland share emergency phone coverage and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help with any emergency. See “Emergencies Abroad” on page 53 for more information.

Transcripts You will receive a Butler University transcript recording the grades and credits from your host university. For information about our registration and transcript policies, see these topics under “Academics” in the next section of this booklet.

Program Duration Please note that IFSA-Butler program services abroad are in effect between the program start date and program end date on the program calendar.

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ACADEMICS

Academic Differences Specialization in Scotland The primary difference between the U.S. and Scottish educational systems is the level of specialization. In the United States, you are probably accustomed to a liberal arts education in which you select courses in a wide variety of subjects from introductory to advanced levels. Although our university system is based on that of Scotland, the idea of a liberal arts education and â&#x20AC;&#x153;well-roundedâ&#x20AC;? students who take courses in many subjects is uniquely American. University students in Scotland do not take general studies courses or choose from a wide variety of subjects during their first two years in college, but instead begin taking classes in their chosen area of study from the very start. In fact, Scottish high school graduates must apply to a specific faculty at a university, rather than for general admission to the university itself. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll notice that because of this system, Scottish university students are much more focused than their American counterparts because they study only one or two subjects throughout college, rather than a mixture of sciences, humanities, etc. IFSA-Butler students are not generally restricted to one or two subjects while studying abroad in Scotland, but we recommend that you try to focus your studies as much as possible in order to fit in well with the Scottish system.

As a U.S. student entering the Scottish system, you will ill need to adjust to an academic environment that offers fewer class instruction hours per week and emphasizes individual study outside the classroom.

Degrees in Scotland Degrees in Scotland are based on concentrated study of a discipline within a faculty or college. Students apply directly to a specific course within a faculty rather than general undergraduate admission to a university. For the first two years, Scottish students take classes within their chosen department along with a restricted number of electives. Most courses and departments have a set plan of study but also offer students an element of flexibility and choice. At the end of the second year, students who obtain satisfactory grades are accepted into the honors degree program. This allows students to spend two more years in their specialized area to earn an honors degree. Unlike other countries within the U.K., where three-year degrees are the norm, Scottish university degree programs take a full four years.

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The Scottish University System The university system in Scotland is state supported. Student enrollment is limited because the government heavily subsidizes tuition for students, which makes entry standards extremely high. Student services are paid for by students but are also subsidized by the government. These include meals, housing, student unions, libraries, etc. Universities in Scotland charge overseas students much higher fees, similar to tuition out-of-state students must pay at state universities in the U.S. Academic Progress and Student Independence Instructors in Scotland do not monitor each student’s individual academic progress. It’s a student’s responsibility to keep up with the class work and to select subjects for the essays. The academic term or year structure is not based on continual assessment, but rather on one or two essay assignments and/or one final exam at the end of the term or semester. Course Structure Generally, the structure of a course combines both seminars or tutorials and lectures. You are expected to participate in discussions during the seminars and tutorials, and are usually assessed by your level of class participation in addition to your regular assignments. U.S. students usually do well in these sessions because they are more accustomed to speaking out in class. In your free time you are expected to go to the library to do preparatory work for class such as research and reading related to the course topic. This research is done so you can bring back your own thoughts to contribute to class discussion. You will find that the Scottish method of education is very open-ended. Professors will expect that your final papers and exams show all of the research and reading you have been doing outside of class.

Reading Lists Most professors in Scotland will distribute “recommended reading” lists for courses. Some of these lists may contain hundreds of books and articles! You don’t have to read all of them, but you are expected to read independently by choosing a broad selection from the list. Don’t wait until the end of the semester to keep up with your reading! If you feel that you lack assignments or have nothing to do, you may have misunderstood the system. Contact your lecturers or the IFSA-Butler Scotland office for advice on organizing the workload early in the semester or term. Grades and Credits Unlike the U.S., most university courses in Scotland do not have regular assignments and tests. Instead, all or most of your grade is likely to come from a comprehensive essay and just one or two exams written in essay format (see Exams below). This system will make your ability to study independently very important. Grades are normally written in letters (A–F), but may take other forms. The Scottish system does not have grade point averages. The average grade in Scotland is a C, which is considered quite respectable. If you expect to achieve A and B work, you’ll have to work hard. It is your responsibility to check with your home college to find out the policy on transfer credit. Some U.S. colleges and universities will not transfer credit for courses with a grade of less than a C. Exams Most courses in Scotland have just one or two exams, and students are expected to use these exams to demonstrate their overall knowledge in the course subject, particularly the research and independent reading that they conducted on their own throughout the semester. Multiple-choice exams are rare in Scotland. Even in the sciences, exams are often given in essay form. Good writing skills are essential. If you need some refinement of these skills, you can seek help from individual tutors or from your academic advisors. Oncampus study skills centers and IFSA-Butler’s Scotland staff can also help.

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Study Habits in Scotland Part of the cultural difference between the United States and Scotland is apparent in the way in which students study. During university breaks or holidays, students in Scotland take all their work home and complete drafts of essays that might not be due until the end of the semester. College students in Scotland will often brag about how little they have to study despite their good grades, but in reality, they are probably spending a great deal of time on preparation work and reading. Library hours are less convenient than in the U.S., and university students do the majority of their studying during the day in the library. Students from the United States need to structure their time according to the Scottish system. In Scotland, students typically socialize at night, distracting U.S. students who are accustomed to studying then. Failure to adjust to Scottish study methods can lead to poor academic results. Classes in Scotland—Summer Programs Most summer programs in Scotland are geared toward U.S. and other international students and have a structure that is more similar to U.S. colleges and universities. Nevertheless, it is important to understand the general academic structure of universities in Scotland, as the professors and instructors will have Scottish-style expectations of students.

Academic Ethics and Culture Just as systems of higher education vary greatly by country, so do concepts of academic ethics. As a visiting student, it is important for you to be proactive by searching your host university’s website and/or student handbook for its policies regarding academic ethics and classroom behavior. IFSA-Butler staff and your host institution’s international office are also great resources for guidance on this topic. Remember to ask what challenges previous U.S. students have faced at your host university. If you are accused of academic dishonesty, inquire immediately about the appeals process available at both your host and home institutions, paying special attention to deadlines.

Status You are classified as a “full fee-paying, nondegree or visiting student” at your host university and are entitled to enroll in any undergraduate course for which you are qualified and in which space is available. You are subject to the standard regulations of the university and have the same rights, privileges and obligations as regular degree students. You must abide by all the rules and regulations of your host institution.

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Course Registration You will most likely register for your course choices after arrival at your host university. Please have additional approved course choices in case your first selections are not available. During the enrollment period it is your responsibility to ensure that: • You are enrolled in a full course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. • You meet any prerequisites required for any courses in which you enroll. • You are aware of any issues that may affect grade or credit transfer to your home university. Notifying IFSA-Butler of Your Enrollment • Once you finalize registration at your host university, complete the online IFSA-Butler class registration form (more information is given at orientation) indicating your individual course schedule. • A staff member in Scotland will verify your fulltime enrollment. We use this form to verify your host university grade report before completing your Butler University transcript. Submitting your course registration form is mandatory. • If you make any changes after submitting your form, you must immediately inform the IFSAButler Scotland office in writing. Any change in your registration could affect your credit. • U.S. law requires students who are receiving federal or state financial aid funds to earn a certain amount of credit: at least 12 U.S. semester credit hours for a term or semester or 24 U.S. semester credit hours for the year. Failure to comply with these guidelines can affect your future financial aid awards and eligibility. Falling below the course load minimum may also revoke your student status in Scotland and lead to deportation.

Tips for academic success in Scotland • You’ll have fewer contact hours with your professors than at your home institution and will be expected to work more independently. • Many of your classes will be held in large lecture halls seating more than 100 students. These lectures will be complemented by seminars/ tutorials, small discussion groups held at another time during the week. You are required to attend both and to actively participate. • Most lecturers will distribute optional reading lists from which students are expected to select supplementary reading. You are unlikely to pass without reading extensively from these lists. • Students and lecturers in Scotland put less emphasis on presentation and more on the content of written and oral work. Always back up statements with documented sources. Create a logical argument and stick to it. • Assessment occurs less frequently in Scottish universities, so it’s important to stay on top of the workload. • Scottish universities are less flexible with regulations and deadlines. You should know the rules, and don’t assume you can break them without penalty. • Grade inflation occurs less frequently in Scotland than in the United States. Consult the University Profile you will receive during orientation for U.S. grade conversions. • Adapt to the work schedule of local students. Go to the library and study during the day. You can socialize at night. • Introduce yourself to your instructors, let them know you are a U.S. study abroad student and find out their expectations for the class.

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Registering for Required Courses If you are required to take certain courses abroad in order to graduate on time, follow this procedure: • Put the request in writing to our U.S. office before departure. Your program advisor will request the course on your behalf. • Depending on your host university, you may or may not receive confirmation that the course is available. • Before leaving the United States, check the IFSAButler website to verify current course offerings at your host university. • When you get to registration at your host university, request the course again and explain why you need it. • Remember that there are course cancellations in Scotland at the last minute, just as in the U.S., so be prepared to make a substitution if necessary. IFSA-Butler’s Scotland office can help you find course alternatives that meet your requirements.

IFSA-Butler Full Course Load As an IFSA-Butler participant, you are required to undertake a full course load at your host university and to follow its regulations for degree-seeking students, including taking exams where applicable. By law, you must maintain the recommended course load to ensure your continual registration as a fulltime student. Taking less than a full course load may violate the terms of your visiting student status in Scotland and jeopardize your U.S. financial aid. The Student Handbook that you receive during your orientation abroad outlines the number of U.S. semester credit hours you must take at your host institution to equal a full course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. A full IFSA-Butler course load is the equivalent of: • 12 U.S. semester credit hours per term. • 15 to 16 U.S. semester credit hours per semester. • 18 to 20 U.S. semester credit hours for the spring two terms. • 30 to 32 U.S. semester credit hours for the year. • Summer full-load standards vary according to program length and host university requirements. See our website for individual program credits. When you register for courses abroad, you will need to tally the credits, points or units (not number of courses) to achieve the required full course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Our Scotland office can help you verify that your enrollment constitutes a full course load.

Course Overload IFSA-Butler does not recommend registering for more than the full course load. If you sign up for more than the equivalent of 18 U.S. semester credit hours, please obtain written approval from your home university and forward this approval to IFSA-Butler. Taking more than the equivalent of 16 U.S. semester credit hours in a semester can result in a tuition surcharge by your Scotland university. When this occurs, we send a bill to your designated billing address. Your home institution may also charge a fee to process additional credit hours.

Home Institution Regulations Some U.S. institutions may impose on their study abroad students the same academic regulations applicable on their home campus. In some cases these regulations may conflict with IFSA-Butler policy. For example, if your home institution requires that all students abroad enroll in four classes, you may be taking too many or too few credits according to IFSA-Butler standards. Consult your IFSA-Butler program advisor if this applies to you.

Types of Courses Not Allowed IFSA-Butler does not allow students to take the following types of courses in Scotland: • • • •

Graduate courses Courses for audit Online courses Courses for pass/fail instead of a grade (unless that is the only way the course is assessed)

Only courses taken for a grade and credit will count toward your full-load requirement. M O R E C U LT U R E . L E S S S H O C K .

Course Credits Be aware that a course’s time commitment does not always correspond to the course’s credit allocation. Science and engineering students in particular should be prepared to spend considerably more time in class and labs than students who take only liberal arts courses. Our science alumni have reported that their workload was more than double that of arts students for the same amount of credit. Butler University cannot increase the credit of any course taken abroad without approval from the host university.

Academic Contract During orientation, we ask you to sign a contract in which you acknowledge your enrollment responsibilities to your host university and to IFSA-Butler.

Course Withdraw Dates Withdrawing from courses in Scotland can be complicated and subject to many rules. Please note the following: • Be sure to confirm the final withdraw date with your host university. • If you wish to withdraw from a class, you must do so formally with the university by the published date, and then notify the IFSA-Butler Scotland office in writing that you have withdrawn. • If you drop a course after the published withdraw deadline, that course will register as an F on your transcript. • Obtain written confirmation from the host university that you have withdrawn from the course. Otherwise the course may appear as an F on your Butler University transcript. •

Your host university may charge a late-drop fee. This fee can be quite high. It is your responsibility to learn the deadline and adhere to it.

• Be sure that by dropping a course you do not fall below the IFSA-Butler full course load.

Class Attendance Students studying on an IFSA-Butler program are required to attend all regularly scheduled classes. Failure to attend classes can jeopardize your visiting student status and will also result in loss of credit and an F on your transcript.

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The academic system is much more lecture-based, there is less personal time with professors and attendance is mostly optional. The lack of homework and the emphasis on exams was strange. Students were really left more on their own, and I had to be very self-driven in order to really stay on top of the material. But since there was less homework, there was more time to study. – Nathan Bird, Vanderbilt University University of Edinburgh

Completion of Coursework You must complete all your academic obligations before the end of the program. If you turn an essay in late, it may get lost and you will lose credit. If you turn in an assignment to anyone other than your professor, be sure to get written confirmation. You must complete all of your academic obligations by your Scottish university’s deadlines. Failure to submit your coursework on time will result in a F on your transcript. In addition, all Scottish universities have a double hurdle criteria. This means that you must pass both the coursework and the examination element of a course in order to receive an overall pass. If you fail one or the other, you will fail the entire class.

Incomplete Grades

Special Exam Arrangements

If you have an incomplete, you must complete the class requirements by May 31 (for fall) or December 31 (for summer, spring and year students) or by the host university deadline, whichever comes first. Incompletes that are not rectified will result in a fail or an X, and we will issue you a new Butler University transcript.

You may not reschedule an exam, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If you do, IFSA-Butler will not conduct an academic appeal or follow-up on the class in which you arranged an alternate exam or assessment.

Enrolling for One Semester of a Full-Year Course IFSA-Butler discourages students from enrolling in one semester of a yearlong course. If you wish to do so anyway, ask permission from the lecturer and the international office of your host university before enrollment. If you enroll for the first half of a course, you must ask the lecturer to assess you at the conclusion of the semester and to pass that mark on to the study abroad or international office of your host university. If you don’t make this request, the lecturer could wait until the end of the year to assess your performance, leading to a six- or seven-month delay in your transcript. Your lecturer may also expect you to return to Scotland to take the exam at the end of the year. Be sure to also discuss your plans with our Scotland office before the end of the drop/add period. If you take only the second semester of a course, note that your final exam may cover content from both semesters.

You will be able to review a Scotland program calendar before leaving the United States. Please be sure that you do not have scheduling conflicts with the examination periods before enrolling. Please note that the full exam timetable will not be available until after the start of the semester in Scotland.

Transcripts Conversion of Host University Grades and Credits We translate your grades and credits according to the scales printed in the Student Handbook that is distributed during orientation. Translations do not augment or reduce the grades; they are equivalent to the host university grades and credits. Once your course results are translated and processed, the Butler University registrar will send an official transcript to your home college or university and one to your home address. Butler University will not issue a transcript if you have an outstanding IFSA-Butler account balance or any fees, fines or damage costs owed to the host university. The transcript issued by your host institution is considered a legal document, and neither IFSA-Butler nor Butler University can alter any part of it. We can make a change in class title, grade or credit only if we receive a revised official transcript from the host university. Transcript Schedule Due to differences between the Scottish and U.S. academic systems, your transcript will probably not be available for as long as five months after the end of your study abroad program. Most U.S. universities are used to this delay and will accept a phone call or letter from our office as explanation. Study Abroad Term Fall Spring Year Summer

Transcript Sent February–April July–September July–late September September–October

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Online Grades Some universities may make your grades available to you online. Grades provided online are not official, and the posting of grades online does not guarantee that your transcript has been prepared. IFSA-Butler Letters of Explanation You may find yourself in jeopardy of losing academic scholarships and/or financial aid because your grades are not released in a timely manner by your host institution. To help you avoid penalties resulting from delayed transcripts, we are happy to provide letters of explanation. Please contact the IFSA-Butler Academic Affairs department if you need assistance. Avoiding Transcript Delays To help expedite your transcript you can do the following things: • • • •

Make sure you return an accurate course registration form to our Scotland office. Speak to your host university professors about any special deadlines you have for receiving grades. Turn your work in on time. The professor can’t issue your grade without all your work. Make sure all IFSA-Butler fees are paid, library books are returned and fines paid, no damages exist in your housing and no other debt exists in your name when you return to the United States.

Rush Transcripts If you need a rush transcript, notify the IFSA-Butler Scotland office in writing before returning to the United States using the rush transcript form located on our Scotland office website. We make every effort to expedite the transcript but cannot guarantee that your host university will rush grades to us. Additional Transcripts IFSA-Butler alumni may order additional transcripts after receiving their initial two transcripts from Butler University. You can make a request via the National Student Clearinghouse. You will need your Butler University student identification number in order to request your transcript. This number can be found on your Butler University transcript and in the IFSA-Butler student portal (login and password required). If you are unable to access your Butler University ID via these options, please phone IFSA-Butler’s Academic Affairs department and you will be asked a series of security questions in order to share your identification number.

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If you have any other questions about the transcript request process, please contact an academic records coordinator at 800-858-0229. Additional transcript fees and processing times: • Each additional transcript costs $9. • The National Student Clearinghouse processing fee is $2.25 per recipient. • All transcript requests are processed within five working days of receipt.

Academic Record Appeal If you disagree with a grade, course title or credits on your Butler University transcript, you can initiate an academic record appeal through IFSA-Butler. More details about the appeal process, appeal criteria and deadlines will be included in the Student Handbook and are also available on our website. Note that we will not address an appeal for any class in which you have taken an alternate assessment, taken an early exam or arranged to submit an essay outside the required due dates.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. Students who have reached the age of 18 or have entered into a postsecondary learning institution have the right to: • Inspect and review their education records within 45 days of the day the institution receives a request for access; • Have some control over the disclosure of information from their education records; • Seek to amend education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA; • File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the institution to comply with requirements of FERPA. IFSA-Butler adheres to these fundamental rights of students who participate on IFSA-Butler programs.

Withdrawing from the Program IFSA-Butler may allow a student to leave the program early only in cases of severe medical or personal problems, and only for circumstances approved by your host university. Otherwise, IFSA-Butler does not report grades as incomplete. An incomplete or “absent” grade will be reported on your Butler University transcript as a fail. Results from all courses will be reported to your home institution.

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FINANCES

Payments and Financial Aid IFSA-Butler Finance Office Our finance office processes all payments and invoices and is available to answer questions about payments, scholarships, consortium agreements and more. You can reach our finance office from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET daily by calling 800-858-0229.

Program Fees We publish our fees for each upcoming semester, summer or year three to six months before departure, and we set our program fees in U.S. dollars to protect our students and their parents from currency fluctuations. Our fees are set and do not change because of changes in the exchange rates. In order to balance out the exchange rate fluctuations and to stabilize our fees we use forward contracts, which can result in an average exchange rate that may vary significantly from the daily rates quoted by the banks.

What’s included in our program fee

Expenses not included in the program fee

Your IFSA-Butler program fee includes the following:

Expenses not covered by the IFSA-Butler program fee include:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Tuition Housing Predeparture preparations Visa assistance Full-time resident staff in Edinburgh Orientation abroad (including accommodation and at least one substantial meal per day) Transportation from Edinburgh to your host city Activities and events Excursions and day trips (semester/year programs) Basic student union/university activity fees Personal and academic support services 24/7 emergency assistance abroad Medical insurance and assistance plan Two academic transcripts issued by Butler University

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Meals (unless noted on our website) Commuting expenses Vacation expenses International or U.S. domestic airfare Passport or visa Return transportation to the airport at the end of the program University club or society membership fees Academic field trips or excursions Personal property and travel insurance Tuition differentials Course overload surcharges Personal items, textbooks and supplies University linen deposits Costs related to independent housing

Tuition and Housing Invoices from IFSA-Butler IFSA-Butler sends invoices to each student’s designated billing address four to six weeks before the payment deadline. Students who apply and/or are accepted late may receive their invoices later. Invoices generally cover tuition and housing, but your invoice may vary if we have a direct billing arrangement with your home college or university (see Direct Billing Arrangements below). Payment deadlines are listed on page 25. Direct Billing Arrangements IFSA-Butler has direct billing arrangements with many U.S. colleges and universities. Direct billing institutions agree to pay all or part of the IFSA-Butler invoice on behalf of their students, and students in turn pay the direct billing institution instead of IFSAButler. If the home college or university pays for tuition or housing only, IFSA-Butler will send the unpaid portion of the invoice to the student’s parents. Our Money Matters booklet includes more details about direct billing arrangements. Our Student Portal will indicate whether or not your home college has a direct billing agreement with IFSA-Butler.

Other Invoices from IFSA-Butler IFSA-Butler sometimes sends additional invoices based on a student’s housing, enrollment or credit load. We mail these additional invoices to designated billing addresses toward the end of the semester.

usually a shared room in a dormitory, apartment or student house. Some housing assignments abroad incur supplemental charges that we pass on to our students. These charges are usually for mandatory meal plans but may also include fees for “full service” facilities, activity fees, gown rental or activities associated with life in the housing. Most supplemental housing bills will be sent to your billing address near the end of your time abroad. However, small out-of-pocket costs such as linen and key deposits may be payable directly to your host university or housing office. Housing supplementals vary from university to university; the fees on our website (www.ifsa-butler. org) list each university’s housing supplementals. Tuition Supplemental Fees All IFSA-Butler fees are based on an arts and humanities fee structure. Some universities in Scotland set higher tuition for study in certain subjects (e.g., science, engineering, psychology, music, computer science and archaeology). Tuition supplementals vary from university to university; the fees on our website (www.ifsa-butler.org) outline which fees, if any, your host university will have and for which subjects. These fees reflect the costs of equipment the university has to provide for certain majors, rather than the costs of studying a course in that department.

Meal Plans Many residence halls abroad have mandatory meal plans. If you are assigned a room in a hall of residence sidence with a meal plan, we will send a bill to your designated billing address near the end of your time abroad. No refund is available for unused portions of meal plans. The fees on our website (www. ifsa-butler.org) list meal plan costs where relevant. Supplemental Housing Fees The housing portion of our program fee is based on the cost of basic accommodation,

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If you are admitted to a department that imposes a higher tuition fee, the university may charge you a tuition supplemental even if you do not take any courses in that department. We send supplemental tuition bills after enrollment abroad is confirmed. Be sure to investigate and discuss your program’s supplemental fees with your parents and home university’s study abroad office. Overload Fee Some host universities charge a fee for overloads (taking more than 16 U.S. semester credit hours). Our Scotland staff discuss overloads during orientation to help students fully understand their course load requirements and avoid unwanted bills. Withdraw Fees Some universities in Scotland have instituted very strict withdraw policies, particularly for summer programs. The policies vary between universities but generally require students to pay a large penalty for withdrawing from the program after a specified date. Although IFSA-Butler students pay their fees to us instead of to the universities abroad, IFSA-Butler is contractually responsible for any fees incurred on behalf of our students. Therefore, we are obligated to follow these universities’ refund policies and to pass penalties along to our students. These withdraw policies are clearly outlined on our website, on housing forms (in cases where penalties are tied to housing fees) and are also detailed in predeparture emails from our program advisors.

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Monthly Payment Plan Sallie Mae TuitionPay IFSA-Butler allows semester and year students to make monthly payments on the program fee through a plan offered by Sallie Mae TuitionPay. The TuitionPay plan can be used to pay any portion of the IFSA-Butler program fee except for the $500 program deposit. We automatically send a TuitionPay application to all parents, unless you have requested in writing that we not contact your parents. If you want to look over this information yourself, please call and request a copy from our finance office. The TuitionPay program is not available for summer programs. Using TuitionPay for Supplemental Costs You may also use TuitionPay to cover the cost of meal plans, supplemental housing fees and tuition supplementals. However, because these additional invoices are not sent until after your arrival and enrollment abroad, you will need to estimate the amount of the supplemental costs for your program and build that amount into your TuitionPay monthly payment. Sallie Mae will send you a refund if you overestimate the cost of supplementals. More Information About TuitionPay The IFSA-Butler finance office is happy to answer questions about TuitionPay. Our finance staff can be reached at 800-858-0229.

Payment Instructions Payment Due Dates and Financial Deadlines Program deposit Fall and year scholarship application Fall and year TuitionPay application and first payment Fall program fee Year program fee approx. 60 percent due balance due Spring scholarship application Spring TuitionPay application and first payment Spring program fee Summer scholarship application Summer program fee

Due 15 days after acceptance April 1 June 1 July 1 July 1 November 15 October 1 November 1 November 15 April 1 May 15

Please note that IFSA-Butler charges a $45 fee for late payments. How to Make Payments IFSA-Butler accepts payment by check or credit card. When making a payment, please follow these guidelines: • Make checks payable to the Institute for Study Abroad. Checks should indicate on the memo section the student’s full name and the name of the program abroad (e.g., University of Stirling). • Send checks to: Institute for Study Abroad 6201 Corporate Drive, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46278 • You may pay by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or by e-check via the “My Account” tab in your Student Portal. Processing fees for credit card payments are applicable. Delinquent Payments If we do not receive financial aid documentation or your full payment by the payment deadline listed above, you will be withdrawn from our program. You will not be refunded your $500 program deposit or the cost of your airline ticket. Late Applicants If you apply after the application deadline, your $500 program deposit is required at the time you apply and is refundable only if you cannot be offered a place in an program. The program fee is due upon acceptance if you are accepted into a program after the program fee deadline.

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Financial Aid Payments IFSA-Butler accepts transfers of financial aid for payment of our program fees. Make an appointment with your home campus financial aid officer as early as possible and request a contractual/consortium agreement. A contractual/consortium agreement is your only guarantee that your financial aid will be transferred to your study abroad program. For more information, please consult Money Matters (included in your welcome packet). If you plan to apply financial aid toward the payment of the IFSA-Butler program fee, send us a copy of your contractual/consortium agreement (from your financial aid officer) and a copy of your financial aid award letter and/or loan guarantees. These documents should indicate the amount of financial aid award and its disbursal date. Butler University does not process financial aid for IFSA-Butler students unless they are pursuing an undergraduate degree from Butler University. Please do not send any correspondence to Butler University’s Office of Financial Aid.

Scholarships IFSA-Butler Scholarships IFSA-Butler believes that study abroad should be within the reach of every student, so we offer a wide range of scholarships for use on our programs. Some of these scholarships are for study in Scotland or for specific programs in Scotland, while others may be used for study in any of our programs abroad. Please visit our website for scholarship details and application deadlines. Other Scholarships Many companies and organizations offer scholarships for international study. A list of these opportunities can be found on our website.

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Managing Your Money Abroad We suggest relying on a combination of cash, credit cards and a U.S. debit card while you are abroad. We’ll give you additional advice on money management during orientation; in the meantime, here are a few guidelines. The best way to save money while studying abroad is to copy the financial lifestyle of local students.

Currency and Exchange Rates The currency in the United Kingdom is the pound sterling (£). While money printed in Scotland looks slightly different than that printed in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, the currencies have equal value and can be spent throughout the U.K. The latest exchange rate is available at any bank, in most major newspapers and on the web at www.oanda.com.

Personal Checks Personal checks can take months to clear. You should not bring, and your parents should not send, checks written in U.S. dollars.

Banking We recommend that semester and year students open a bank account in Scotland if possible. Some banks may not allow students who will be in country less than six months to open a new account. Further details on opening a bank account in Scotland will be given during orientation. Summer students will not be in Scotland long enough to open a bank account and should instead plan to use ATMs to access their U.S. bank account.

U.S. Bank Account ATM/Debit Cards You will probably be able to use your U.S. debit card at ATMs throughout Scotland. Cirrus and Plus systems are the most common networks, so be sure that your debit card lists one of these networks. Note that most ATMs abroad accept only 4-digit PINs. Contact your U.S. bank to be sure you can use your card in Scotland and throughout Europe if you plan to travel. Some U.S. banks block usage of debit cards in certain countries because of concerns about fraud. The main advantage of keeping a U.S. bank account is that it allows your parents to deposit money into your account at home, and you’ll be able to access this money this way easily and immediately. The main disadvantage to using a U.S. debit card is the fees. Your U.S. bank, as well as the Scotland bank that owns the ATM you use, may charge a fee for each transaction. These fees can add up quickly. Don’t rely entirely on a U.S. debit card. If your card is lost or stolen, you won’t have access to emergency funds. Keep an emergency reserve of money just in case. Be sure to record your bank’s customer service telephone number and your account number in case you need to report a lost or stolen card.

I found the best way to finance study abroad was to budget my money before I left. I set aside the money I wanted to have for the semester and put it in a Scottish bank account. Having a Scottish bank account and not having to keep track of the exchange rate was really useful. I was able to keep track of how much money I had left in the GBP, which made things much more simple. –Nathan Bird, Vanderbilt University University of Edinburgh

Credit Cards Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted, both in Scotland and throughout the rest of Europe. Note that American Express is not accepted in very many places in Scotland. Any credit card you use abroad must have your name on it as given on your passport. If you plan to use a parent’s credit card, your parent should request an extra card in your name. Be sure to call your credit card company before departure to explain that you’ll be studying abroad in Scotland. This will decrease the likelihood of your international purchases being flagged as fraudulent. Keep a list of your credit card numbers and the card’s customer service numbers in case your cards are lost or stolen.

Wire Transfers If you need money in a hurry, you can have it sent to you via American Express or Western Union. You don’t need an American Express card to wire money. Even though wiring money involves a large fee, it is relatively safe, and usually you can receive the money within one day. You will need your passport to collect the money. Some banks may also accept wire transfers.

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Student Expenses Abroad We’ve designed this section to give you and your parents an idea of the kinds of expenses you may have while in Scotland. Actual cost estimates can be found in the budget planner included in your welcome packet. In addition, each program page on our website includes Personal Cost Estimates for that program and city. No matter where you study in Scotland, the cost of living is higher than most places in the United States. Theaters, clubs, cinemas, shops, restaurants, grocery stores and pubs can rapidly drain your bank account. See our money saving tips on the next page.

Meals in student cafeterias are inexpensive (equal to or cheaper than pub food), as are those in many fastfood restaurants.

Groceries Depending on what you purchase, groceries can cost more in Scotland than at a supermarket in the United States. Food prices in general may be higher than you expect, so make sure your food budget is adequate. Because you may be cooking for yourself, take some time to learn a few easy recipes before you leave, or bring a small cookbook from home. Make sure your cookbook has temperature and metric equivalents, or bring a set of measuring cups and spoons from home.

Personal Expenses Orientation Orientation is covered by your program fee and includes housing, breakfast and one other substantial meal a day. Past students have recommended bringing money for souvenirs, snacks and evening entertainment.

Emergency Reserve You should always have some money set aside for emergencies, whether it is your credit card or a cash reserve.

Textbooks and Supplies Scottish universities do not rely as heavily on textbooks and have broader reading lists. All books featured on reading lists will be available from the university library, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the library system in the first week of the semester. If you do need to purchase textbooks, all universities have bookshops on campus that often have secondhand copies available at a lower cost, or you can purchase books on discount sites online. Past students have also recommended using Google books.

Dining Out Much of the social life in Scotland centers around pubs. Pubs tend to offer hearty, affordable meals, but keep in mind that alcohol is expensive and can lead to quick overspending. In addition, there are no free soda refills in Scotland. Tap water will save you money and is safe to drink.

Be sure to budget for the following miscellaneous expenses in Scotland: • Small appliances such as hair dryers, curling irons, etc. • Phone cards and/or cell phone (see page 42 for more information) • Haircuts • Laundry • Course supplies • Photocopying • Emergency cash reserve See your budget planner for more information about personal expenses.

If you’re planning to travel around Scotland, try to get a sense of how the academic calendar looks so that you can plan early—prices go up really fast! –Erin White, University of Vermont University of St. Andrews

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Public Transportation Fewer people have cars in Scotland, in part because public transportation is very reliable and popular. Most cities have public bus systems with convenient routes. Even if you’ll be living on or near campus, we recommend budgeting money for public transportation, since you’ll likely need it for shopping, sightseeing and going out with friends.

Taxis Many students in Scotland use taxis when going out with friends in the evening. Taxis are pricey for just one or two people but can end up being cheaper than public transportation for a group of friends. Taxi vans and the quintessential, large “black cabs” are common and available to transport large groups of people.

Bicycles Many college students in Scotland use bicycles to get to and from classes. You can find secondhand bicycles through newspaper ads, bulletin board notices and bike shops. We strongly recommend that you leave your own bike at home and rent one instead. Be sure to purchase a good quality lock. Helmets are required in Scotland.

Phones Review the section on telephones and mail on pages 42–43 for specifics on telephones. This guide will help you budget for calling cards or cell phones in Scotland. In Scotland, the post office offers telephone cards with good rates to the United States (see www.postoffice.co.uk).

Tipping Scotland does not have the same tipping culture as the U.S. However, a 10–12.5 percent tip in restaurants is customary. Always check the receipt first to make sure a service charge has not already been added to your bill. In taxis, it is polite to round up the fare to the nearest pound, or to give 10 percent if the driver has helped you with luggage or packages. It is not customary to tip in bars or pubs.

Money-saving tips for Scotland TIP #1: Consult Good Travel Resources Every savvy traveler should do extensive online research or purchase a good travel guidebook. We recommend Lonely Planet, Rick Steves and Rough Guides, all of which are geared for travelers on a budget and have all kinds of helpful tips about bargains, local sights, free events and attractions, and more. You can purchase these online or at any major bookstore in the travel section, or search information online. TIP #2: Always Ask for a Student Discount Always ask for a student discount. Don’t be shy - it can help save you a lot of money. Many stores have student discount cards, and your host university may have other discount passes you can pick up as well. Visit the student union to look for flyers advertising “Student Night” at local clubs, bars and restaurants. TIP #3: Talk to Scottish Students The Scottish students around you will undoubtedly be on a budget as well. Ask where they got their pots, pans, bedding, clothes, food, etc. and learn to shop like they do! TIP #4: Take Advantage of Coupons There are always going to be coupons in the local newspaper or online, and there are often people giving out flyers on the streets of shopping districts. If you haven’t used coupons before, learn to love them (even if you might feel a bit like your grandma!). TIP #5: Be a Savvy Grocery Shopper Most supermarkets reduce items after a certain time in the evening, so get to know your local stores and shop daily rather than weekly to take advantage of deals. Use budget supermarkets such as Aldi, Lidl and Iceland rather than convenience stores! TIP #6: Watch Your Pub Visits! Just like here in the U.S., alcohol is expensive in Scotland—only more so! Keep an eye on your pub budget.

University Activity Fees Although the IFSA-Butler program fee includes basic student union dues, universities in Scotland often charge separate fees to join clubs or societies. These fees are not included in your program fee. You may also have to pay extra for academic field excursions, even if they are a mandatory component of a class.

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Entertainment The range of social activities in Scotland is wide enough to offer something for everyone. Tickets range in price, but student discounts (called “concessions”) are sometimes available if you know the time to queue (line up) for tickets. Local newspapers and international offices at the universities are useful sources of information. Cinema tickets tend to be more expensive for first-run films than they are in the United States, but always ask for student rates and have your host university student ID handy.

Vacations Visit reliable websites or purchase good guidebooks when planning and budgeting for travel. Past students highly recommend the Lonely Planet Guide and the Rough Guide. Both offer excellent print and online resources. In addition, the website hostelworld.com has downloadable and printable student guides to various cities in Europe.

Always bring your wellies (rainboots in America). is a beautiful A i ) Scotland S country (though quite wet at times!) full of surprises and adventure around every corner. I would highly recommend Scotland to the adventurous outdoorsy type. Plenty of lochs, munroes and glens to traverse! –Rachael Young, Georgetown College University of Stirling

You can also visit the IFSA-Butler Scotland office for travel advice from staff and past students. The office also features travel tips in the Scottish Scribble, the electronic newsletter sent out twice a month. Transportation Travel throughout Scotland and Europe can be reasonable, and bargains abound for students under the age of 26. Within the U.K., you can purchase a young person’s railcard, which allows for a one-third discount on rail fares, though discount ticket travel times are restricted. To save even more, travel second class. Coaches (buses) are considerably less expensive than trains, and the network is very extensive. Check with your university’s student travel office to explore discount deals on bus and train passes. Budget airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet offer very inexpensive flights to Ireland, the U.K. and mainland Europe. Lodging Visit www.hostelworld.com, which has downloadable and printable student guides to various cities in Europe. Also visit the IFSA-Butler Scotland office for advice and tips from past students. Guidebooks and travel websites have great information on inexpensive lodging throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. Look into bed and breakfasts because they are usually reasonably priced.

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Value Added Tax All stores throughout the United Kingdom charge a value added tax (VAT) on various purchases. The VAT is 20 percent on all goods and services. You can get a refund on the VAT on most goods, but no refund is available on the VAT for services. There are ways for non-U.K. citizens to avoid the VAT, including shipping goods directly back to your U.S. address or asking the retailer to fill out a Cashback voucher at the point of sale, which will entitle you to a VAT refund when you depart the U.K. More information about the VAT will be given at orientation in Edinburgh.

Overall Budgeting Because of the different spending habits and resources of each of our students, we can’t estimate any one person’s budget needs. For an individual and accurate estimate, please complete the budget planner included in your welcome packet.

G E T T I N G R E A DY TO L E AV E

Official Travel Documents You need the following documents for travel and immigration purposes: • Passport • PBS Tier 4 visa (for full-year students, students on internship programs and others as advised by your IFSA-Butler program advisor) • Student validation document (for all students)

Passport You must have a passport that is valid for six months past the time you plan to be abroad. If you don’t have a passport, apply for one immediately. Normal processing takes six weeks and may take longer during peak travel times. Passport fees and requirements change frequently. For complete information about applying for a passport, go to the State Department’s website at www.travel.state.gov and click on “Passports.” You must present the following documentation to obtain a U.S. passport: • Proof of U.S. citizenship—either a certified copy of a birth certificate, a previously issued passport, a naturalization certificate, a certificate of citizenship or a consular report of birth for a U.S. citizen born abroad • Two recent, identical passport photos (2” x 2”) • The completed passport application and fee If you are not a U.S. citizen, make sure both your permanent resident card (if applicable) and passport are current and valid. You might need to check with the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office near your university or home (check the web at www.uscis.gov).

I did not travel around Europe very much h while hil I was there, but I saw almost all of Scotland— Aberdeenshire, the Highlands, the borders, Glasgow, St. Andrews, Stirling, Isle of Skye and more. There is a lot to do locally, and I encourage other students to participate in such things—sit it on Parliament, go to a Burns Supper, visit a distillery. –Teresa Neri, Fordham University University of Edinburgh Parliamentary Internship Program

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PBS Tier 4 Visas

Perry International

The U.K. government requires that students who meet the following criteria must obtain a PBS Tier 4 visa before departure:

Due to the complicated nature of student visas and legal status abroad, IFSA-Butler has a partnership with Perry International, a passport and visa processing organization. Perry assists our students by providing information regarding Scotland’s entry regulations for study abroad students. Perry also provides visa processing services and passport application, expediting and renewals.

• Students studying in the U.K. for more than 180 days • Students who plan to pursue an internship (paid or unpaid) or volunteer work • Students who wish to work in the U.K. • Citizens of certain countries A PBS Tier 4 visa is the only way you can work, intern or volunteer. If it is stamped with an employment “restriction” you will be allowed to work part time. If it is stamped with an employment “prohibition” you will not be allowed to work. To apply for a PBS Tier 4 visa, you must complete an online application no earlier than three months before the start of your program and submit to the U.K. government the following: • Your passport (which must be valid for six months past the time you plan to return from the U.K.) • Two recent passport-sized photos (2” x 2”) • Your completed visa application • Biometric fingerprint scan receipt • Official documentation provided by IFSA-Butler These guidelines are current as of April 2014 but are subject to change. Your program advisor will send you visa information with your acceptance packet. For up-to-date information about PBS Tier 4 visas, see the Study in the U.K. website at www.britainusa.com and click on “Visas and Visiting the U.K.”

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IFSA-Butler pays the Perry International processing fees on each student’s behalf, but students are responsible for the payment of any visa or consular fees, passport fees, and shipping and mailing costs.

Visas for Non-U.S. Citizens If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact Perry International to determine whether you need a visa. You can call Perry at 312-372-2703 or email perry@perryvisa.com.

Visas for Other Countries If you plan to travel to other countries, be sure to investigate whether you’ll need a visa before you go. Many European countries have initiated more stringent visa requirements for citizens of some countries.

Student Validation Document IFSA-Butler will email a copy of your student validation document to you prior to your U.S. departure. This document gives your full name, your host university and states that you have sufficient funds to study in Scotland. Present this document along with your passport at immigration in the U.K. to prove that you are a full-time study abroad student. If you leave the U.K. during your time abroad, remember to carry the student validation document along with your passport to avoid re-entry problems. Keep this document with your passport until you return to the U.S.

Copies of Your Travel Documents Keep track of all your travel documents. Make two copies of your passport and PBS Tier 4 visa; leave one copy with your parents and pack the other in your luggage separately from your passport. If you lose your passport, having a copy to take to the U.S. Embassy speeds the replacement process.

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Booking Your Flight to Scotland For All Students Do not purchase a ticket until you have been accepted to a host university! When scheduling a return flight, be sure to choose a flight that arrives in time for the IFSA-Butler orientation and leaves no sooner than the program end date, after you have completed all your academic responsibilities, including exams. Visit your program’s page on the IFSA-Butler website for program dates. IFSA-Butler partners with STA Travel to offer travel booking assistance for our students. There are several advantages to booking your flight reservations through STA: • • • • •

Any program student who arrives on their program date within the published arrival window will be provided with ground transportation from the airport to IFSA-Butler orientation. If you arrive outside of the published timeframe, you are responsible for your own transportation from the airport to the orientation location. The address and directions to the orientation location are included in the Travel Newsletter, which is email to students prior to their U.S. departure. Do Not Fly Through Ireland When booking your flight to Scotland, do not fly from the Republic of Ireland, even for a layover. As a visiting student in the U.K., you are required to clear the United Kingdom’s Immigration and Passport Control, and you will go through the wrong immigration procedures if you fly to Scotland via the Republic of Ireland.

Before I went abroad, I feared that I would be homesick or would be unable to find other students with whom I could relate, but I found many likeminded people who wanted to travel and do the same activities i i i as I did, and it made the semester fly. Many universities offer activities and trips for international students, and through them I met a lot of people. –Rebecca Rimkunas, Ursinus College University of Glasgow 34

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Insurance and Health Care IFSA-Butler Insurance The IFSA-Butler program fee includes a medical insurance, emergency assistance and evacuation plan through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). CISI specializes in providing insurance for U.S. students who will receive treatment when outside the United States. All IFSA-Butler students are enrolled in the CISI insurance plan as a part of their study abroad program. The CISI program covers the following: • • • • • • •

Eligible medical expenses covered at 100 percent to $350,000 with no deductible Emergency medical evacuation to $250,000 Emergency medical reunion to $10,000 Pre-existing condition coverage up to $10,000 Mental health condition coverage to $10,000 (outpatient) and $50,000 (inpatient) Partial coverage for alcohol and drug abuse assistance Emergency medical and travel assistance services include: • Worldwide hospital, physician and mental health provider referral • Prescription replacement/shipment • 24 hour emergency travel arrangements and emergency services • Translation service • Lost document and credit card assistance

Insurance Card You can print an individual insurance card and plan details before departure via the CISI website (www.mycisi.com) utilizing your personal account. Students will receive an email from CISI notifying you of enrollment in the insurance plan. Additional Insurance Please remember that IFSA-Butler does not provide travel or personal property insurance. If you want to insure your trip or belongings while you are abroad, contact a reputable travel insurance provider.

National Health Service Only students studying in the U.K. for six months or longer are covered by the National Health Service (NHS). This coverage is valid only within the U.K.

There are exclusions to coverage that are outlined on the website at www.culturalinsurance.com/ifsa. All students should review the CISI coverage to determine if additional insurance will be needed while studying abroad, in particular students with preexisting conditions. Costs of any additional insurance purchased is the responsibility of the student. Dates of Coverage Coverage begins one day before the program start date and ends on the program end date. It can be extended 30 days before or after the program by contacting CISI directly. Coverage is applicable anywhere outside the U.S., not just the location in which the student is studying.

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Additional Insurance Sources To obtain travel, property or additional medical coverage for a pre-existing condition, we recommend contacting an insurance company that specializes in coverage for U.S. students abroad. Cultural Insurance Services International, which provides the insurance plan for IFSA-Butler students, can provide a range of insurance services.

Health Care Below are some predeparture health care recommendations, as well as some hints for communicating your medical needs to IFSA-Butler before the start of the program: • Have your family physician prepare a summary of ongoing treatment. • Bring an adequate supply of your medications (up to three months is allowed) and leave them in their labeled containers. • See “Prescription Drugs” on this page for more details on bringing medications to Scotland. • We recommend that you undergo complete physical, vision and dental exams prior to departure.

Cultural Insurance Services International 800-303-8120 www.culturalinsurance.com

Prescription Drugs You have two options for continuing prescription medications while you are overseas. The first option is to take with you all of the medication you will need for the your semester abroad. A three-month supply of any prescribed drug must be accompanied by a letter from the prescribing physician (on letterhead) detailing your name, the generic name of the medication, the quantity of the medication which will be brought into the U.K. and the reason the medication is needed. If you need to bring more than a three-month supply, you need to obtain a personal import license (www. homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/licensing/personal).

• Update any vaccination(s) your physician recommends.

Note that some drugs such as Adderall and Concerta are not available in the U.K., so be sure to bring enough for your time abroad with you, as well as a personal import license

• Please note any medical conditions on the medical form included in your acceptance packet. Remember that we keep all medical information strictly confidential.

Please note that you should pack all prescription medications in your carry-on bag, in their original containers with the pharmacy label.

• If you have been treated for depression, anxiety, eating disorders or anything that can be classified as a mental health condition, discuss your study abroad plans with your support team. • Discuss the possibility of obtaining additional insurance coverage for treatment abroad with your parents or study abroad advisor.

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The other option is to have your prescriptions filled in the U.K. If you chose to do so, make sure you to get a prescription from your U.S. doctor that includes the chemical name of the drug, as well as the dosage. Also ask your doctor to make sure it’s commercially available in the U.K. When you arrive at your host university, you will have to register at your university’s student health center and have them write you a prescription so that it can be billed at a pharmacy in the U.K. The National Health Service (NHS) fills most prescriptions for less than $20.

Immunizations There are no specific immunizations required for study in Scotland, but we recommend that you make sure that your immunizations are up to date before departure. Visit the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov for recommendations and health alerts.

Students with Disabilities We encourage students with physical and learning disabilities to explore studying abroad through our programs. We can work with you and our affiliated universities to find a program that most closely meets your needs in a community that is as accessible as possible. We can investigate the availability of modified facilities, adaptive equipment, learning disability policies, local medical facilities or other required services. Equipment or services may result in an additional cost to you. You can inform IFSA-Butler of any medical condition by filling out the medical form in your acceptance packet. Medical conditions have no bearing on your admission, but your study abroad experience may be negatively affected if all parties involved are not adequately informed of your needs. In addition, you will need to register with the disability office at your Scottish university in the first week of the semester. If you have a learning disability, many of the same accommodations available in the U.S. are available in Scotland, including additional test taking time. However, 33 percent extra time is often the maximum permitted. It is possible to request private rooms and the use of a computer, but you must register with your Scottish universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disability office in order to receive learning disability accommodations. Please note that requests for special arrangements or accommodations require documentation from your home college or university, as well as from a physician or therapist.

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Packing

Packing Tips

Please do not overpack! Storage space is usually minimal and closets in student residences are very small. If you are in university housing and staying over a vacation period, you might be required to store your things in a centrally secured room for the break.

Luggage Size and Weight • Visit your airline’s website to view checked baggage policies and any fees for checked bags. • Do not attempt to exceed your airline’s baggage limit. If you do, the airline staff can make you repack and/or pay an extra weight fee. • You will have to carry your luggage everywhere, so make sure that you can manage all your luggage by yourself. • Carry-on luggage must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. We recommend that you keep your carry-on weight to about 10 pounds since you’ll be navigating very large airports.

Pack wisely and use suitable luggage. Trunks are too heavy and impossible to handle alone, and suitcases are bulky and tiring to carry. Past students suggest a sturdy, internal-frame backpack as the ideal piece of luggage. A backpack, small suitcase and small carry-on are all the luggage you should need.

Climate Scotland has a fairly changeable climate. Temperatures average 34° to 43°F in January and February and 52° to 64°F in July and August. While true winter with snow is pretty much confined to the Highlands, most of our students find Scotland chilly and damp throughout the year. Please pack a good waterproof jacket, gloves, hat, scarf and warm clothes.

Protecting Your Luggage From Theft and Loss • Make luggage tags to identify all of your luggage, including your carry-on. • Put labels inside your luggage in case the outside labels fall off. • If you put a lock on your bag, make sure it is approved by the Transportation Security Administration (see www.tsa.gov); otherwise, airline security may cut it off. Protecting Your Documents and Valuables • Do not pack your tickets, passport, travel documents, medication or valuables in your checked luggage. Keep them on your person at all times. • Do not put valuables in a backpack; backpacks are prone to theft. General Packing Advice • Pack what you’ll need first on top in one bag. • Pack shampoos, toothpaste and any other liquids or gels in plastic bags. • A plastic bag can also be used to separate clean and dirty laundry and to hold wet clothes (resealable bags are the best). • Pack your carry-on so that you can live out of it for a few days if your checked luggage gets lost. • If you can’t decide whether to take something expensive or sentimental, ask yourself how you would feel if it was lost or stolen. • Leave room in your luggage to bring home the things you acquire while abroad. • Keep FAA regulations in mind when packing your carry-on. Do not bring anything that could be considered a weapon onto the plane.

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Suggested Packing List Clothes—Semester and Year Students • A hooded rainproof coat with a zip-out lining • A few sweaters (wool or fleece are best) • Jeans and/or casual pants and/or skirts • A few shirts • Two pairs of comfortable, waterproof walking shoes • At least one dressy outfit with the appropriate shoes • Underclothes • Workout clothes • Pajamas • A warm hat, scarf and gloves • A set of long underwear (winter can be very damp, as well as cold) Clothes—Summer Students • A hooded rainproof coat with a zip-out lining • One or two sweaters • Jeans or lightweight casual pants • A few pairs of shorts • Casual short-sleeve shirts • At least one dressy outfit with the appropriate shoes • Underclothes • Workout clothes • Two pairs of comfortable, waterproof walking shoes • Pajamas

Do Not Bring • Expensive jewelry or items with sentimental value • Too much cash • Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia of any kind • Electrical appliances (Scotland uses different plugs and voltage.) • Too much luggage

Laundry methods may be hard on your clothes, so pack clothes that can take some abuse. You might have to dry your clothes on a line. Health, Hygiene and Safety • Comb, brush, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, shaving gear and washcloth • Toiletries and cosmetics to get you through the first week. You can purchase more as necessary in Scotland. • Prescription medicine in labeled containers and a written copy of the prescription • Contact lens solution, an extra pair of contacts or glasses and your prescription • Sunglasses • Condoms and/or birth control • A small first-aid kit Miscellaneous • Portable alarm clock and extra batteries • Good quality umbrella and rain gear • Addresses and phone numbers of family, relatives and friends • A bike lock if you plan to rent or buy a bicycle • Recipes (with metric equivalents) • Money belt or waist pouch to hold passport, money, etc.

I knew I wanted to study abroad in the United Kingdom and was initially attracted to Scotland because it is less expensive than studying in London. –Erin White, University of Vermont University of St. Andrews

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Your Ideal Carry-On Bag • Passport: check to ensure that it is valid six months past the time you are scheduled to be abroad • Student validation document, which we will email to you prior to your U.S. departure • Your plane tickets or e-ticket confirmations • Travel-size toiletries • Credit cards, debit card and limited cash • Something to read • Something to listen to • Journal and a pen • A change of clothes in case your checked luggage is lost • Medications and written prescriptions • Sweater and/or waterproof jacket • Spare glasses and/or contact lenses and solution (the plane can be very dry, so you might want to wear glasses instead of your contact lenses) • Water (purchased after clearing security) and a small snack • Camera • Laptop, tablet and/or e-reader You should also pack in your carry-on all your important paperwork: • Contact details for your home college advisor • Name and email of your IFSA-Butler program advisor and resident director • Contact details for your physician(s) • CISI insurance card • Updated home university transcript (a student copy is fine; you might need it during registration) • Your final Travel Essentials predeparture update, which will be emailed to you prior to your departure. The Travel Essentials will include numbers for our Scotland office and directions for where to go upon arrival in Edinburgh.

Linens and Towels If possible, you will be advised about what linens are provided when you receive your housing assignment. If you don’t have your housing assignment prior to departure, you should plan to buy inexpensive linens when you arrive at your host university. In some housing options, students must rent or purchase duvets and pillows. All students must provide their own towels. Most students purchase towels in Scotland in order save room in their luggage.

Contact Lenses Pack a spare set of lenses and your eyeglasses in case of emergency. Bring your lens or glasses prescription. Your favorite contact care brands will probably be available in Scotland, but the cost of solution is very expensive compared to in the United States. You may want to take enough to last your entire time abroad.

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Appliances Don’t bring any electrical appliances from home. You’ll need a voltage converter and plug adapter to make anything with a motor work in Scotland’s three-pronged, 240V outlets. Converters are unreliable and can even be fire hazards. Small appliances such as hair dryers and curling irons are easy to acquire in Scotland and are relatively inexpensive.

Medication See page 36 for more details on taking medication to Scotland.

Musical Instruments If you bring a musical instrument, pack it in a hard case and insure it. Instruments count as extra luggage on the flight and may incur an additional fee. If you bring a stringed instrument, loosen or remove the strings to reduce the tension on the neck during the flight. Endsleigh Insurance offers a special coverage package for musical instruments. See www.endsleigh.co.uk.

Technology and Communications Laptops The only type of computer you should consider taking abroad is a laptop. Below are the pros and cons of bringing your own computer. Pros of Bringing a Laptop • The convenience of working on your assignments anywhere and anytime you want. • Immediate access for working on papers, uploading photos, etc. • No need to familiarize yourself with a different computer and software in Scotland. • University computer labs in Scotland usually close by 9 p.m. Cons of Bringing a Laptop • Risk of theft—Be sure that yours is insured. • Internet may be slow in your housing, which will limit the usefulness of your laptop. • Your laptop will work only if it has an internal voltage switch to work with the U.K.’s 240V electrical current. • Power surges can damage your laptop, so you will also need to buy a high quality surge protector. • You will need to purchase a plug adapter so that your laptop can plug into an outlet in Scotland. • You will need to find a safe place to store your laptop when you travel, or drag it along with you. If you do decide to bring your laptop, we recommend bringing an ethernet cable, as some housing options still use ethernet for Internet access. You can also purchase an inexpensive cable in Scotland. Some students have heard that a laptop less than six months old will be taxed upon entry to the U.K., and that students must bring a receipt to prove ownership of the laptop. Though these rules do exist, they do not apply to students who use a laptop for educational purposes.

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Computer Labs

Cell Phones

Computer labs are available at all the Scottish universities with which IFSA-Butler works, although labs are rarely open 24 hours a day. You will be assigned a university email account.

IFSA-Butler requires all students to have a cell phone while abroad. Phones must be able to send and receive texts from our Scotland office, and we will collect cell numbers from students during orientation. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor is happy to answer questions about the cost and process of bringing or purchasing a cell phone abroad.

Internet Cafes Internet cafes are available throughout Scotland. For a small fee, you can have access to email and the Internet.

Tablets and E-Readers You may find iPads, Kindles or other tablets and e-readers useful while abroad. However, keep in mind that an outlet charger will not work abroad due to Scotland’s different voltages and plugs. You can use a USB charger with your laptop, or if you’re not bringing a laptop, you can purchase a travel adapter kit to charge your devices. Please be sure that any tablets or e-readers are insured against theft and damage.

Voltage Converters The U.S. operates on a 110V electrical system, while Scotland has a 220V system. Most laptops and some small items such as shavers and camera battery chargers may be designed to handle both types of voltages; check the product information carefully. Otherwise you’ll need a voltage converter to operate any appliance from the U.S. Voltage converters are often unreliable and can result in electrical shock, damage to the device or even fire. This is why we recommend purchasing small appliances abroad.

Plug Adaptors The shape of outlet plugs are also different in Scotland. You’ll need a plug adaptor for any appliance or electronic device from the U.S., even those designed to handle a 220V electrical system.

If you have a smartphone, we recommend that you contact your network provider in the U.S. and ask about the possibility of having your phone unlocked. If your phone is unlocked, you can simply purchase a SIM card in Scotland and insert it into your smartphone. You can also purchase a pay-as-you-go phone in Scotland. Prices start around £20. Customers are charged only for the purchase of the phone, and there is no contract involved and no fee for incoming calls or texts. Information on rates and how to purchase cell phones will be given during orientation.

Calling Cards You can sign up for U.S.-based calling cards from AT&T, Sprint or other major phone providers. The bills for these calls can be included in your parents’ home phone bill, or in a separate bill if you choose. You can use these cards from any type of phone while in Scotland. Be sure to compare costs when choosing a card. Many of these companies also offer prepaid phone cards that can be used internationally, but you may find that prepaid cards bought in Scotland (see Pay Phones below) offer better deals and are easier to use.

Calling Plans Many U.S.-based cell phone and land line companies offer special calling plans for frequent international calls. Your family and friends should shop around to find the best deals.

Pay Phones As in the U.S., pay phones are gradually disappearing in Scotland. Some student residence halls still have pay phones, but many are able to dial within the halls and to emergency numbers only.

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The pay phones that do still exist take either coins or cards, although some telephones accept both. Card phones require the use of prepaid phone cards, which are available in local “news agents” stores and post offices in increments of £2–£20.

Calls to Scotland When your friends and family call Scotland, they’ll need to use international codes. To call Scotland from the United States, dial: • 011 to get your call routed out of the United States • 44 to route your call to Scotland • the three-digit area code • the local phone number Note that calls within Scotland usually begin with a 0, but callers from the U.S. should drop the 0 when dialing your number.

Online Calling Options Skype is a great way to make free or low-cost calls internationally. Though a webcam is nice for seeing your family and friends on the other end of the call, foregoing the webcam will give you more bandwidth and lower the chances of being disconnected. Google Talk offers Voice Over IP services online. It has fewer options than Skype but typically requires less bandwidth.

Phone Home Schedule Regardless of how you choose to contact your family, we advise you to set up a schedule for calling home. A schedule allows you to call when costs are lowest, and it also helps minimize your family’s worry about having you abroad because they know when to expect your calls.

Be sure to tell your family and friends not to send mail to your Scotland address prior to arrival.

Shipping Packages Shipping Companies If someone in the U.S. needs to send you something, have them send it via FedEx, TNT, DHL or the U.S. Post Office’s “Global Express Guaranteed” service. These services usually will not deliver to a post office box, so the sender needs to provide a street address. For liability reasons, Scottish universities will not sign for or accept international packages for students. Students must use the courier company’s tracking service to determine approximate delivery time and be at their residence to sign for the package. The United States Postal Service and international shipping companies all have their own rules regarding fees, customs charges and invoices for packages. Your family or friends should ask detailed questions and understand the postal or shipping company’s guidelines before sending parcels to Scotland. Items to Avoid Shipping Abroad • Clothes: You’ll pay huge customs charges and handling fees. Plan a little extra money in your budget to purchase anything you can’t bring in your luggage. • Laptops or other electronics: These are likely to get damaged or stolen in transit and will incur huge Customs charges and handling fees. • Valuables • Medications

Mail Mail generally takes five to 10 days to reach the United States. Packages sent to or from Scotland via surface mail may take up to eight weeks for delivery. Airmail packages may take up to two weeks.

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LIVING ABROAD

Housing The IFSA-Butler program fee includes housing while classes are in session. IFSA-Butler students in Scotland usually live in the following types of housing: â&#x20AC;˘ University-operated residence halls â&#x20AC;˘ University-operated student apartments

University-operated Housing University-operated housing comes in the form of residence halls or colleges. Colleges are somewhat like American dorms, but they involve a much greater level of community life. They often have amenities such as kitchens, laundry rooms and study lounges, as well as student organizations that arrange social and sporting programs. You are expected to take part in the life of the college and participate in college activities. Colleges and residence halls often have resident assistants and counseling services available. Students in residence halls live in double or single bedrooms with access to common rooms, reading rooms and resident tutors where available. Where meal plans are compulsory, the cost is your responsibility; we will send a supplemental bill to your designated billing address to cover this cost toward the end of the semester. There are no refunds for unused meal plan portions.

Independent Housing Although IFSA-Butler guarantees and arranges housing for students on our programs, you may choose to arrange your own housing abroad. Most students who choose independent housing do so because of health or religious reasons, or because they wish to stay with family. Should you choose our independent housing option, we will not charge you the housing component of your program fee. You must make all housing arrangements on your own, including deposits, damage costs and payment of utilities. In addition, your home college study abroad office will need to give permission in writing for you to arrange your own housing. IFSA-Butler does not assist in resolving independent housing issues. Please note that independent housing is not available for the Arts Administration Edinburgh Festival Internship summer program.

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General Housing Information

Housing Changes and Withdraws

The Scotland Student Housing Experience IFSA-Butler does not provide special housing for students on our Scotland programs. We want your experience to be reflective of the student life in Scotland, so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be living the same housing as degree students. Although student housing in Scotland is not luxurious, it is clean and suitable for student living.

Housing Changes All Scottish universities impose a four-week settling in period at the beginning of each semester, and no housing changes are allowed during this period. After the four weeks, students may ask to have their name placed on the housing transfer list and will be allowed to move when a new space becomes available. A housing transfer fee may be applicable.

Housing Assignments IFSA-Butler works with each university in Scotland to secure housing for our students throughout the semester, year or summer abroad. We guarantee housing as part of our program fee.

Housing Refund Policy Students who withdraw from their housing after the specified date for the payment of fees (May 15 for summer, November 15 for the spring and July 1 for fall and year programs) will not receive a refund for the portion of the program fee covering housing unless the space can be filled. There are no refunds whatsoever if you leave the housing after the term or semester has begun.

In most programs, the host university housing office makes housing assignments. These housing assignments are based on the requests you make on the IFSA-Butler housing preference form, which is part of our application process. Some host universities have separate housing forms that students must also complete as part of the application process. Please note that we guarantee housing, but we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t guarantee your preferences. Housing Variations We provide a comparable standard of accommodation for all program participants. We take care to ensure that all accommodations meet our quality standards, but exact conditions, equipment and amenities vary between programs and even sometimes within the same university.

Host University Withdraw Policies Some universities in Scotland have instituted very strict withdraw policies, particularly for summer programs. The policies vary between universities but generally require students to pay a large penalty for withdrawing from the program after a specified date. These withdraw policies are clearly outlined on our website, on housing forms (in cases where penalties are tied to housing fees) and are also detailed in predeparture emails from our program advisors.

Housing Offer Notification When we receive your housing offer from your university in Scotland, we will forward it to you. However, sometimes we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t receive university housing assignments prior to the start of the program. If you do not receive notice of your address before departure, you can expect to have it in writing at orientation.

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Special Housing Requests Roommate Requests Students are welcome to make roommate requests, but these requests must be mutual and in writing. We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t guarantee that requests will be granted. Single Sex Housing All accommodations are coed unless otherwise stated. You may make a request for single-sex housing, but single-sex housing is limited at many universities and may be unavailable altogether.

Housing Policies Housing Vacation Policy Housing is guaranteed only for the time classes are in session and for examination periods. Some universities ask students to move out of housing during vacations and store belongings in a central facility. If your university gives you the option of staying over vacation, you will have to make arrangements with the university and pay any fees directly to the university. Housing Contract All students sign a housing contract at the IFSAButler orientation. Visitors Overnight guests are allowed in most housing options, subject to permissions and regulations. Be sure to learn and follow the rules of your housing.

Housing Amenities and Utilities Linens Because the policies vary from university to university, you should wait for your housing assignment before planning to pack bedding items. We will inform you of all pertinent housing details in your housing offer letter. If we arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t able to provide you with your housing assignment before departure, we recommend that you plan to purchase linens after your arrival in Scotland. All students must provide their own towels.

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Kitchen Supplies In some university-operated housing, students must provide their own pots, pans, crockery and other food preparation items. We recommend that you wait and see what supplies are in your housing, as past residents often leave things behind. You might also be able to share the cost with roommates. Heating In Scotland, heating is turned on later in the season (and/or later in the evening) than would be the case in the United States. In addition, the heating system might not be as efficient as you are used to. You should expect to dress warmly indoors to make up for this difference. The cost of heat is included in the IFSA-Butler program fee, but remember that your roommates may be paying for their own heating bills. Please be considerate of their budget and of the need to conserve energy. Air Conditioning Summer students should be aware that student housing in Scotland is rarely air conditioned. Summers in Scotland are generally mild, with temperatures rarely climbing above 75ÂşF, so in most summers air conditioning is not needed. However, Scotland has occasional hot spells, which can make for an uncomfortable living situation. You may need to purchase a small fan in Scotland if you find your housing too warm.

Legal Matters Student Status You will enter the United Kingdom on student status. You may or may not need a PBS Tier 4 visa (see page 32 for details); your IFSA-Butler program advisor will inform you of whether you need one.

Legal Status While abroad, you are subject to local laws and customs that may vary considerably from U.S. practice. Ignorance of the law never serves as a defense for criminal activity. Wherever you are, be careful not to break the law. IFSA-Butler does not provide legal advice or support to students arrested abroad. IFSA-Butler reserves the right to dismiss you from the program if you are charged with a crime.

Driving Under the Influence Scotland has severe penalties for drinking and driving. Never drive a car under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Possession and Sale of Narcotics Students who are caught using, possessing or dealing in drugs are subject to high fines, imprisonment and deportation. If you are accused of any illegal drug offense, you will be subject to Scotland’s laws, and your U.S. citizenship will not provide any special protection.

Customs U.K. Customs regulations allow students to bring in personal belongings for use in their studies without being liable to duty, as long as they take them out of the country when they leave. When you re-enter the United States, U.S. Customs will require you to declare all items purchased abroad. Keep an account of the costs of purchases, including sales slips. Customs officials have the right to see them. There are penalties for underestimating the value of declared articles or not reporting them at all. Customs regulations and charges are subject to change, so be sure to check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at www.customs.ustreas.gov for up-to-date information. For U.K. Customs regulations, contact Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs at www.hmrc.gov.uk.

Employment IFSA-Butler strongly discourages students from working. Study abroad requires a big investment, and your courses will take up most of your time. The jobs most study abroad students find are ones usually held only by international students, so working is not a good way to meet local people. Even if you want to work, you may not be able to find a job. If you want to work, you must obtain a PBS Tier 4 visa to ensure that you receive an employment “restriction” rather than an employment “prohibition.” With a PBS Tier 4 visa, students may work up to 20 hours per week during term time and any number of hours per week during breaks.

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Health and Safety Alcohol The legal drinking age is 18 in the United Kingdom, and alcohol is a pervasive presence both on and off campus. Pubs are a large part of the social scene. Although IFSA-Butler never pays for alcohol at events we sponsor, university-sponsored events might provide alcohol. Think about how youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll deal with the easy access to alcohol before you go. Socializing with Scottish students doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean you have to drink, and ordering a soft drink at a pub is perfectly acceptable. We recommend that you drink moderately if you choose to drink. We cannot emphasize enough how many discipline and safety issues are caused by overindulgence with alcohol and how many study abroad experiences are soured because of it. Most complaints and police encounters that involve study abroad students stem from the abuse of alcohol.

Alcohol Abuse If you are currently in a program to control your alcohol abuse, please inform us on the medical form that is included in your acceptance packet. Any information you relay to us will be kept confidential and will not affect your ability to enroll in our program. We can help you find continuing counseling and support abroad. IFSA-Butler reserves the right to remove from the program any student who behaves in a violent or self-destructive manner or who is charged with an alcohol-related crime. 48

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Anti-Depressants and Anti-Anxiety Medication Students who are taking medication for a mental health condition should continue treatment unless advised by a physician to stop. Temporary changes in scene can make students feel overconfident that they are fine and no longer need their medication, but in reality, ceasing medication can have disastrous effects. Please see page 36 for more information about taking prescription medication into Scotland.

Counseling Students with mental health conditions (including eating disorders, substance abuse problems and depression) are particularly susceptible to increased stress while studying abroad. We ask that you fully disclose any mental health condition to us before departure so that we can help arrange counseling support for you abroad. Any information will be completely confidential. Counseling practices in Scotland are very similar to those in the United States. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor can give you the names of professionals in Scotland before departure so that you can continue your counseling abroad. In addition, our Scotland office can offer help, support and additional referrals if necessary. Additional medical insurance may be required to cover counseling sessions abroad.

Crime Petty theft is not as common in Scotland as in London and mainland Europe, but you should nevertheless always remain aware of your surroundings. Don’t travel with valuable personal property and avoid traveling alone late at night. Make sure that the doors and windows of your housing are locked at all times. We encourage you to leave anything of monetary or sentimental value in the United States.

Personal Safety Precautions Students tend to let down their guard when studying abroad, but being vigilant and cautious is as important in Scotland as it is at home. We recommend the following basic safety precautions while studying and traveling abroad: Register with the U.S. State Department Register online with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). You can enroll for free at https://step.state.gov/step/. This will allow the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to get in contact with you in the event of an emergency. Read the State Department Travel Advisories These are available for all countries, so be sure to read them for any place you plan to visit. Our Scotland office routinely updates students on new State Department travel advisories, cautions and warnings, and updates are also available online at www.travel.state.gov. Keep a Low Profile Try to blend in with the host country’s surroundings as much as possible. Avoid speaking loudly and wearing clothes that mark you as a U.S. student (e.g., university fraternity or sorority shirts). Don’t hang out at tourist gathering places and do not travel with large groups of Americans. Be Cautious When Meeting New People Don’t give out your address or telephone number, and don’t feel pressured to “friend” new people on social media. Be aware of your surroundings and the people with whom you have contact.

During orientation, we provide tips on how to carry credit cards and cash, and how to find help in case of an emergency. Our staff also focus on personal safety and common sense rules of living abroad. There is no reason to be unduly concerned about crime in Scotland. Incidences of violent crime are lower than in the United States, but it is still important to take reasonable precautions with your personal safety and belongings.

Drink Spiking While in Scotland, be aware of the dangers of drink spiking. When at a disco or pub, never leave your drink unattended or accept a drink from a stranger.

Eating Disorders Eating disorders are common among U.S. university students and the stress of studying abroad sometimes causes these disorders to intensify. Both our U.S. and Scotland offices can help you locate counseling at your host university, or with a community support group if you would rather seek help off campus.

Fire Safety Fire codes and safety standards in Scotland are very strict. Make an effort to learn the fire safety regulations of your housing, and be sure to follow all rules regarding candles, cooking, appliances, etc. In addition, protect yourself by memorizing the location of exits and fire extinguishers.

LBGTQ Rights LBGTQ rights are far less controversial in Scotland than in the U.S., and discrimination against LBGTQ people is illegal. However, if you feel you are the victim of prejudice or discrimination, contact the IFSA-Butler Scotland office for advice.

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Loneliness and Homesickness Adjusting to a new way of life can be very stressful, and homesickness is common in study abroad. If you get homesick, we encourage you to share your feelings with someone. Counseling services are available on your campus, and the IFSA-Butler Scotland office is only a phone call away. To combat homesickness, get involved in a sport or group. Keep a regular, healthy diet and exercise schedule, get enough sleep and continue your interests.

Personal Safety Precautions (continued) Travel in pairs It’s always safer to travel with a friend instead of traveling alone.

Natural Disasters Scotland’s temperate climate keeps it relatively free of the natural disasters that plague other parts of the world, but occasional strong weather happens. Potential weather problems can include strong thunderstorms, gale-force winds and floods. In the event of serious weather, IFSA-Butler’s Scotland staff will alert students in advance if possible and issue safety precautions.

Political Demonstrations Scotland is a very stable, peaceful society, but occasionally political events and controversial issues can spark public demonstrations. IFSA-Butler warns all students to steer clear of pickets, strikes and demonstrations.

Program Evacuation IFSA-Butler has a lengthy evacuation plan for students in all locations. In the unlikely event of a serious terrorist attack, devastating natural disaster or political unrest in Scotland, we would follow our evacuation procedures in consultation with the U.S. embassy, our evacuation assistance provider and our on-site office in Scotland. Our policy is to initiate emergency travel or evacuation only as a last resort and/or when recommended by the U.S. State Department. During any kind of crisis abroad, IFSA-Butler stays in close contact with students, their parents and each student’s home college or university.

Do Not Hitchhike Local students may tell you hitchhiking is safe, but hitchhiking is no safer in Scotland than in the United States. When Traveling, Share Your Travel Plans When leaving your host city for personal travel, complete the online travel form to let our Scotland office know where you’re going. More details will be included in the Student Handbook at orientation. Also share your travel plans with family or friends, especially if you’ll be out of cell phone range or away from email for several days. Have Enough Money Make sure you have enough money with you, especially when you’re traveling. Keep your cash, credit cards and debit card in separate places in case of theft. Do Not Leave Your Bags Unattended Do not agree to carry or look after packages or suitcases for anyone, and never leave your bags unattended. Keep in Touch with Current Events Know what’s going on politically in the world by keeping up with the news. The BBC is an excellent, reliable source. Keep in Touch with Our Scotland Office Should an emergency occur in Scotland, check in immediately by phone or email with our Scotland office. Also contact your parents to let them know you are fine.

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Sexual Heath STDs are as large a health threat in Scotland as they are in the United States. Take the same precautions as you would at home. Most student unions, pharmacies and grocery stores sell condoms. Some other forms of contraceptions are available free of charge from pharmacies such as Lloyds or Boots without a referral from a doctor. Your student health center can provide you with information regarding emergency contraception. Marie Stopes International offers reproductive health services, including contraception, emergency contraception and referrals to general practitioners. To learn more about the services this organization offers, visit the Marie Stopes International website at www.mariestopes.org.uk. Birth control pills are available in Scotland in the same dosages as in the United States, but brand names may differ. Pharmacies are under no obligations to fill U.S. prescriptions, so you may need to have a local doctor write you a new prescription. Once you have registered with the university doctor and undergone an exam, the doctor can write you a prescription. Reduce your risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy by behaving responsibly and protecting yourself.

My favorite IFSAButler activity was the trip to Argyll forest. We stayed in a castle that had been renovated as a youth hostel. The best part was that it wasn’t just a sight-seeing trip, we actually got to go out and explore the area and choose adventure activities like hiking, biking, canoeing, rock climbing, caving, etc. It was a fantastic weekend adventure that I will never forget! –Rachael Young, Georgetown College University of Stirling

Smoking In Scotland, smoking is banned in all enclosed public places, including bars, clubs and restaurants. If you are a smoker, note that cigarettes are even more heavily taxed in the U.K. than in the U.S., with a pack of 20 costing about £8.

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Embassy and Consular Services The U.S. Embassy and Consulates abroad provide the following services: • Replacement of passports • Assistance in locating medical service and notifying friends and family in case of emergency • Assistance with finances if money is lost or stolen • Attorney lists, transfer of money and notification of family for U.S. citizens in jail • Disaster or emergency evacuation assistance The U.S. Embassies and Consulates do not serve as travel agencies, banks, law offices, police or job placement services. The U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh is located at: 3 Regent Terrace Edinburgh EH7 5BW Telephone: 44-0-131-556-8315 Fax: 44-0-131-557-6023 www.usembassy.org.uk/scotland

Registering With the Embassy We strongly recommend that you register your semester, year or summer abroad with the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh. You can do so online with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Registering your address and dates abroad will allow embassy officials to reach you in the event of a natural disaster or other national emergency in Scotland, and it would also help the embassy to assist you if you experience a serious medical or personal emergency abroad. You can enroll for free at https://step.state.gov/step/. If you are not a U.S. citizen, we recommend registering with your home country’s embassy in Scotland before departure.

Program Safety IFSA-Butler is committed to ensuring the safety of all students on our programs. We ask students to read the descriptions of and sign waivers for certain activities that we organize. All activities are completely optional. In addition, we use only licensed and bonded companies for transporting students during orientation and excursions.

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We have extensive support systems in Scotland to help you with any personal or academic problems. Our Scotland office staff can be contacted 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency. We will give you a laminated emergency card with contact information during your orientation. Keep it with you at all times, and be sure to program the telephone numbers into your cell phone.

Being an U.S. Student Abroad While studying in Scotland, you may encounter negative attitudes toward Americans and U.S. government, history or culture. Most anti-American opinions are just that: individual opinions about U.S. politics or culture. They may be based on history, current events, stereotypes, media or experiences with other Americans. Do not react defensively and try not to take these opinions personally. Before going abroad, brush up on U.S. history and politics, as well as the reasoning behind U.S. foreign policy. This kind of knowledge will help you participate in conversations or debates without feeling helpless. You can expect to be asked your opinion on a regular basis. Study abroad is full of academic and cultural challenges, including the reality that a wide range of opinions about the United States exists. Remember that our staff in Scotland are happy to lend a sympathetic ear and offer further advice for dealing with these situations.

Emergencies Abroad Please take reasonable safety precautions while abroad. Avoid risky behavior and pay attention to local laws and warning signs. Carry a next-of-kin contact card in your wallet along with the emergency contact wallet card we give you during orientation. Be sure to also program these contact numbers into your cell phone in case you lose the cards. Our Scotland office emergency number is for use after business hours and on weekends. Our staff are happy to help in a true emergency, but please don’t contact staff after hours with a concern that can be handled during the regular business day.

Specific Emergencies The U.K.’s emergency number is 999 To contact police, fire or an ambulance, call 999 on any phone. In case of severe weather or natural disasters Follow local emergency directions. In addition, be sure to contact IFSA-Butler via email or phone according to the information provided on your IFSAButler laminated emergency contact card so that we know you’re safe. If you are hospitalized abroad Contact our Scotland office immediately. We can help you with insurance questions and make sure you are looked after once you have been discharged. If you have been arrested abroad Call our Scotland office emergency number. We can’t provide you with legal help, but we can contact family members for you. Always contact your parents by phone or email as soon as you are able to let them know you are fine!

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Culture Shock Study abroad is not a vacation but a true experience in acculturation. While abroad you are expected to blend in with and live like others in Scotland. Even if you’ve already visited Scotland on vacation, living there is different. You may become frustrated by all the differences in culture, daily life and lack of conveniences, such as operating a phone, finding late shopping hours and getting around on the train or bus. So much of what you see, hear and experience in Scotland seems much like home. Language is not a problem, the student cultures are similar, and U.S. brand names, TV shows and even sports logos are everywhere. But Scotland has an unmistakably different culture. When those differences become apparent, they can hit with considerable impact. The culture shock curve has three basic phases and a more complicated phase as you return to the United States: Phase I: The Honeymoon You may experience an initial euphoria about being in a new place. During this period, you cannot envision anything better than being in Scotland. The honeymoon can last for as little as a week or for as long as six weeks. Phase II: End of the Honeymoon The end of the honeymoon is characterized by an acute dislike for anything having to do with the location, people, new words or customs of Scotland. You may feel a general sense of distress and frustration. Luckily, this period of disillusionment usually passes quickly. If you seem to experience culture shock or loneliness for an extended time, ask for help. Our Scotland staff have years of experience assisting students, and they will gladly take the time to speak with you about the challenges you are facing. We are as interested as you are in making sure that your period of study abroad is a success, both personally and academically. Phase III: Adjustment After the period of disillusionment comes adjustment. Some students adjust by “going native” (adopting wholeheartedly the new culture) and end up with a new haircut, a new accent and/or a new style

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of dress! For most students, this adaptation gradually becomes more natural as they become more settled and are able to see both the positive and negative aspects of their host culture. Phase IV: Reverse Culture Shock Returning home may expose you to these same feelings all over again. Your time abroad will probably make you more self-sufficient and independent, but the friends you left behind will not have grown quite so dramatically and might not want to hear about your experiences. You’ll undoubtedly be happy to be home and to see family and friends, but you’ll also be missing the friends and the lifestyle of your time abroad. If you find that you’re having difficulty readjusting to the United States, the study abroad advisor on your home campus can help. Consider volunteering as a peer advisor on your home campus, or apply to be an IFSA-Butler Ambassador. Both are great resume builders and a way to share your positive experiences with others.

Summary We hope this booklet has addressed most of your questions and that it continues to be a resource for you and your family throughout the study abroad experience. Please consult page 60 for contact information for our offices. We’re always happy to answer questions!

IFSA-BUTLER POLICIES

Please note the following important policies for students in our Scotland programs. Page numberss containing additional information are also noted.

Orientation – p. 10 The IFSA-Butler orientation in Scotland is mandatory. ory. We reserve the right to remove a student from the e program for missing any part of orientation. Program Duration – p. 12 Your IFSA-Butler program services abroad are in effect between the program start date and program end date on the program calendar. Course Registration – p. 16 As an IFSA-Butler participant, you are required to undertake a full course load at your host universityy and to follow its regulations for degree-seeking students, including taking exams where applicable. Types of Courses Permitted – p. 17 IFSA-Butler does not allow students to take graduate courses, courses for audit, online courses or courses for pass/fail instead of a grade, unless that is the only way the course is assessed. Special Exam Arrangements – p. 19 You may not reschedule an exam, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If you do, IFSA-Butler will not conduct an academic appeal or follow-up on the class in which you arranged an alternate exam or assessment. Transcript Alterations – p. 19 The final Butler University transcript is a legal document. Butler University cannot alter any grade, course title or credit allocation. Withdrawing from the Program – p. 21 IFSA-Butler may allow a student to leave the program early only in cases of severe medical or personal problems, and only for circumstances approved by your host university. Otherwise, IFSA-Butler does not report grades as incomplete. An incomplete or “absent” grade will be reported on your Butler University transcript as a fail.

Tuition and Housing Supplemental Fees – p. 23-24 Many universities in Scotland impose supplemental fees for enrollment in some departments or for certain housing options. IFSA-Butler will pass along tuition and housing supplemental fees to the student’s billing address after the student has arrived abroad—in some cases, the bill may arrive toward the end of the student’s time abroad or even after the student has returned home. Supplemental costs for each program’s tuition and housing are clearly outlined on our website, www.ifsa-butler.org. It is the student’s responsibility to investigate potential supplemental costs before going abroad, and for discussing these costs with parents, financial aid officers and home university study abroad advisors. Host University Withdraw Fees – p. 24 Some universities in Scotland have instituted very strict withdraw policies, particularly for summer programs. The policies vary between universities but generally require students to pay a large penalty for withdrawing from the program after a specified date. These withdraw policies are clearly outlined on our website, on housing forms (in cases where penalties are tied to housing fees) and are also detailed in predeparture emails from our program advisors.

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Payment Due Dates and Financial Deadlines – p. 25 Please note the important payment due dates for Scotland on page 25. IFSA- Butler charges a $45 fee for late payments.

a copy of your contractual/consortium agreement (from your financial aid officer) and a copy of your financial aid award letter and/or loan guarantees. These documents should indicate the amount of financial aid award and its disbursal date.

Delinquent Payments – p. 25 If we do not receive financial aid documentation or your full payment by the payment deadline listed above, you will be withdrawn from our program. You will not be refunded your $500 program deposit or the cost of your airline ticket.

Student Acceptance Agreement All students receive an IFSA-Butler student acceptance agreement in their acceptance packet. Program participants must sign the student acceptance agreement before departure.

Financial Aid Payments – p. 26 If you plan to apply financial aid toward the payment of the IFSA-Butler program fee, you must send us

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Academic and Housing Contracts – p. 18, p. 46 Once abroad, all students must read and sign IFSAButler’s academic and housing contracts.

I N F O R M AT I O N

Information Resources Travel Resources Research Scotland before you go. We highly recommend both the Lonely Planet Guide and the Rough Guide books and/or websites. Be sure to consult information geared to the budget traveler. We also recommend Culture Shock! Britain. It’s an entertaining guide to customs and etiquette. See the following websites before departure: • IFSA-Butler: www.ifsa-butler.org • IFSA-Butler Scotland Office: scotland.ifsa-butler.org • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Page: www.cdc.gov/travel. Check out the current health recommendations for Scotland and any other countries you are considering visiting. • U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): https://step.state.gov/step • U.S. State Department Smart U.K. Information: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/ country/united-kingdom.html • The Lonely Planet: www.lonelyplanet.com • U.K. Embassy in the United States: www.britainusa.com. • Visit Scotland: http://www.visitscotland.com/ about • Direct Gov: www.direct.gov.uk

Films • The Angels’ Share • Brave • Braveheart • One Day (parts filmed in Edinburgh) • Rob Roy • Skyfall • Stardust (filmed on Isle of Skye) • Sunshine on Leith Television • Blackadder • The Book Group • Broadchurch • Coronation Street • Doctor Who • Downton Abbey • Eastenders • Gavin and Stacey • Life on Mars • Miranda • Mrs. Brown’s Boys • The Monarch of the Glen • Robbie Coltrane: Incredible Britain

News The following sites are great places to start the search for Scottish news: The Scotsman: http://www.scotsman.com Daily Record: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk Herald Scotland: http://www.heraldscotland.com Books This is a short introductory list. Be sure to buy a good d guidebook as well. Scotland: The Story of a Nation by Magnus Magnusson A History of Scotland: Look Behind the Mist and Myth of Scottish History by Neil Oliver A Glasgow Lad Goes North by Michael Meighan Women of the Highlands by Katharine Stewart Rick Steves’ Snapshot Scotland by Rick Steves

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Glossary

What Americans Say

What the British Say

apartment backpack Band-aid bathroom bill broil buck (dollar) call, call up candy cell phone check chips (potato) cigarette closet comforter, quilt cookie (sweet) cracker dessert drug store drunk eraser faucet first floor flashlight French fries fun garbage rubbish, garbage can garter belt gasoline, gas ground meat hike hood (car) Jello jelly mail, mailbox masquerade molasses napkin pants professor (university) pumps purse

flat rucksack Elastoplast, plaster WC, toilet, bath, loo bank note grill quid (pound) ring, phone sweets mobile phone bill or cheque crisps fag (slang) cupboard duvet, eiderdown biscuit cheese biscuit pudding chemist, pharmacy pissed rubber tap ground floor torch chips craic litter, refuse dustbin, rubbish bin suspenders petrol minced meat, mince ramble, hillwalk bonnet (car) jelly jam post, postbox fancy dress treacle serviette trousers tutor (university) court shoes handbag

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What Americans Say

What the British Say

restroom

sidewalk to sleep late sneakers suspenders sweater sweatpants/suit thumb tacks truck trunk (car) two weeks underpants undershirt vest yard

toilet, public convenience, WC return ticket university (“school” is only high school) pavement, footpath to lie in, have a long tie trainers braces jumper track pants/suit drawing pins lorry boot (car) fortnight pants, or knickers vest waistcoat garden

What Americans Say

What Scots Say

old

auld

yes

aye

child

bairn

drink, alcoholic

bevvy

stay

bide

drunk

blutered

pretty

bonny

good

braw

pants

breeches

can’t

cannae

a Scottish party with dancing

ceilidh

proud, usually of yourself

chuffed

don’t

dinnae

speak nonsense

haver

know

ken

church

kirk

girl

lassie

out of alignment, not straight

squint, skewwiff

round-trip ticket school (university)

potato

tattie

small

wee

Scottish Food and Drink k Don’t miss these traditional (and some not-so-traditional!) foods during your semester, summer or year in Scotland: Berries: Berries grow well in Scotland. They are a common addition to breakfast foods and desserts and a common side dish as well. They are also used in Scotland’s popular jams, jellies and preserves. Cheese: Varieties of cheddar and other cheeses are very popular throughout Scotland and are served at any meal. Fish and chips: Available everywhere! Cod and haddock are the most popular fish available. Haggis: This signature dish of Scotland is made from lamb’s lungs, liver and heart. It is mixed with suet, onions, herbs and spices, all packed into a skin bag traditionally made of a sheep’s stomach. Many restaurants also serve vegetarian haggis made from vegetables, beans, nuts and oats. Lamb: Lamb is more common in Scotland than in the U.S. It is served in a variety of ways, from traditional chops to minced versions in meat pies, to diced portions in Indian and other ethnic dishes. Oatcakes: Oatcakes are a flat bread made from oats and cooked on a griddle. They are served at breakfast but sometimes as an accompaniment to dinner or lunch. Oats: Oats are a staple of Scottish food and are used to make everything from porridge and oatcakes to puddings and batters for fish. Sausage: Sausages made of pork, beef or a mixture of the two are a staple of Scottish breakfasts. Sausages are known by a variety of names in different regions of Scotland. Scotch Pie: This double-crust pie, sometimes called a mince pie, is filled with meat or potatoes and are sometimes deep fried. Seafood: Scotland’s easy access to its surrounding seas means that fish is plentiful and fresh. Freshwater fish, shrimp, lobster, mussels, oysters, crab and scallops are all readily available in Scotland. Stovies: The term stovies comes from the old word for stew, and the dish is similar to American stew but can include chicken, beef or lamb. Stovies are often served with oatcakes. Venison: Venison is served either by itself as a roast, or in stews and other dishes. Venison is an increasingly popular dish in Scotland because its fat content is low compared to other meats.

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About Us Institute for Study Abroad The Institute for Study Abroad is a nonprofit organization founded at Butler University to provide high-quality study abroad opportunities, plus academic and personal support services, for qualified U.S. undergraduates seeking to earn academic credit through study abroad. While the Institute for Study Abroad is affiliated with Butler University, it is not a department of the University. IFSA-Butler is organized to assist our students from the time they apply until after they return. Staff at the IFSA-Butler U.S. office and around the world are committed to our students. We help them develop realistic expectations and adjust easily to the very different student lifestyles and academic expectations of their host institutions. For a list of programs available in Argentina, Australia, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, England, India, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Scotland, Spain and Wales please visit our website at www.ifsa-butler.org.

Butler University Butler University is a nationally recognized, comprehensive university encompassing six colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Together, these colleges offer more than 60 undergraduate majors, eight pre-professional majors, one first professional and 18 masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees. Approximately 4,700 students are enrolled at Butler University, representing 45 states and 52 countries. Approximately 77 percent of Butler University students will have participated in some form of internship, student teaching, clinical rotation, research or service learning by the time they graduate. In addition to this professional experience, Butler University students develop lifelong skills in critical thinking, effective communication, cooperative teamwork and ethical decision making. Butler University endeavors to prepare students not simply to make a living, but to live lives of purpose in which personal flourishing is intertwined with the welfare of others.

IFSA-Butler Directory Edinburgh Office Ruth Casey, Director of Scottish Programs Deirdra McCourt, Program Coordinator & Student Welfare Assistant Toll-free from within Scotland: 0800 731 3271 Scotland Office (from U.S.): 011-44-131-226-7454 Email: scotland@ifsa-butler.org Website: scotland.ifsa-butler.org Address: 2nd Floor 35 Melville Street Edinburgh EH3 7JF Scotland U.S. Office Local: 317-940-9336 Toll free: 800-858-0229 Fax: 317-940-9704 Email: studyabroad@ifsa-butler.org Website: www.ifsa-butler.org Address IFSA-Butler 6201 Corporate Drive, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46208-3345 Other Numbers Perry International: perry@perryvisa.com, 312-372-2703

Cover photo ÂŠ iStock Preparing to Study Abroad Scotland ÂŠ Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University, 2017 Printed on recycled paper.