Home away from Home! Past Review
By A student (BA in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Irish Studies, American College Dublin) - abroad from 05/18/2013 to 06/15/2013 with
American College Dublin: Irish Language & Culture Program
I simply learned this; be open! Open-minded to try out new things, meet new people, and experience a culture different from yours. You must be comfortable and confident within yourself to achieve this. Or even if you're homesick, you must push yourself to go out and experience because otherwise you'll just stay-in and sulk about your home. Sometimes you have the best experiences from pushing yourself, and going out on your own. My time abroad (am still abroad) was more than worthwhile. It solidified my love for Ireland and the culture, and reassured that being here and studying here was the right answer for me.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Studying in Dublin gave me a broader worldview which in return benefitted my educational experience because I was able to understand, relate, and see it for myself in the culture, and many others. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The study abroad advisors at American College Dublin were nothing but helpful. Whether your problem was minor or major they were here to help you, resolve the issue, and improve your experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The living arrangements were impeccable! I couldn't have asked for a better place to stay in during my time. We were in the middle of Dublin city centre, and only a couple minutes from all the amazing amenities. |
| * Food: |
The food in Europe is better for you than back in America because it's not ridden with all the unnecessary chemicals, and preservatives. The food in Ireland may go bad rather quickly but that just goes to show that it's naturally better for us. That said, I liked the food very much. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As much as I possibly could be. I was fortunate enough to be sharing a room with a girl that had also previously been to Ireland before, and happened to have an Irish boyfriend. So, from that I instantly was thrown into the culture because I was hanging out with her/his friends, and they showed me what Dublin (Ireland) was all about. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
If I had any health issues during my stay, I know for a fact that they would have been taken care of instantly, and well. |
| * Safety: |
I come from a rather big city, Seattle, so for me it was nothing out-of-the-ordinary. You may get an occassional beggar or drunken civilian but unless agressed with, you shouldn't have any problems. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
It was the easiest because I had to be very conscietous of my spending whether it was on food or toiletries. Also, I had already spent a great deal on the program cost so, the money that was alotted to me for the food/toiletries was very tight. But all in all, I managed to make it through. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Less than 100$. So, around the ballpark of 75$ at most. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't by luxury food items or ones that are imported from back home. You are in another country so, buy what is local to them, and live with that. Because that will not only save you money in the long run but give you the full cultural experience that you came (here) for. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I would've known I would be living with fellow Americans. I was under the impression, and many others were that we would be mingled in apartment with Americans, internationals, and local students. But we were placed with other fellow Americans, and that sort of was a hindrance to my whole experience. Had I known that beforehand I would have seen if there was another living possibility or whatnot. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
