What I'd give to be back in Ireland. Past Review

By (California State University - Long Beach) - abroad from 06/24/2013 to 07/18/2014 with

American College Dublin: Irish Language & Culture Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of cultural knowledge as well as historical, as per my classes taken there. I also learned a lot about who I was and how I live on my own. It was definitely worthwhile and I would do it again if I could.

Review Photos

American College Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo American College Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo American College Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo American College Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The teachers here were great. They were able to thoroughly explain the history of Ireland in the short time they had, and even brought in guest speakers and gave us tours so we could really get into the culture and learn. The curriculum wasn't too challenging, but everything done in class was expected to get you to think and really learn.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I originally thought that the foreign students would be getting their own apartments or studio or something of the sort. Instead, when I got there I was placed into a boarding home that was almost too small for the 23 people there at any given time. Still, it gave everyone a chance to really bond and get to know each other.

* Food:

The woman running the boarding home provided us with breakfast foods at any given time during the day, and included homemade meals every night. If we weren't satisfied, it was a simple trip to the local fish and chips or pizza parlor to get our fix.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The people there were incredibly welcoming. I was approached outside of a bar at two in the morning by a man just taking a stroll. A chemical engineer, he just wanted to talk and ask about my stay and just made me feel so at home.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Unfortunately, I can't say much about the health care since I never used it.

* Safety:

The safety in Dublin was phenomenal. There were the local policemen stationed on every street. They were very approachable and very on top of their jobs. You shouldn't be afraid of asking them for help, or even just chatting them up. They'd be happy to help you out. Of course, that's not to say Dublin is crime free. As long as you're not dumb enough to leave all of your money or belongings out in the open, you won't have any trouble.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Living abroad is expensive, no matter what anyone says. During my one month stay, I spent over a thousand dollars out of pocket. Of course, I spent money on sightseeing tours and nights out on the town. Still, if you're diligent about your budget, you shouldn't have a problem spending around $150-200 a week, especially if you don't buy much food outside.

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The sights
  • The lack of time induced pressure
* What could be improved?
  • things were a bit expensive
  • I didn't form many lasting friendships
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that I would have fallen in love so quickly. If I knew that, I might have chosen to pick a longer program instead of just one month.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.