Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Immersion in a New Culture January 22, 2023

By (English, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/29/2022 to 12/19/2022 with

Arcadia: Dublin - Trinity College Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a bunch of new friends and an ability to be alone in a foreign place. For that, it was certainly worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

The program itself felt very distanced from the school (Trinity). I wish I lived closer to the university campus and felt more involved with the culture there.

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)

It was fairly easy to live on a student's budget. If you cooked for yourself and shopped at the cheaper grocery stores that really helped.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Including flights, probably $300 on average (only about $100 on food or so though).
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook for yourself instead of eating out all the time!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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 I met
  • My classes
* What could be improved?
  • Safety/living conditions
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The neighborhood our accommodations was in was dangerous, so be careful!

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Writing Childhoods
Course Department: English
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was challenging. I participated less than I would have at my home institution. We were assessed by one final paper.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not sure yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Collections and Recollections: Children's Literature
Course Department: English
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Definitely more challenging as it was an upper level class. We were assessed by a midterm and a final paper. I participated about the same as I would have at my home institution.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not sure yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Writing the Body: 1690-1800
Course Department: English
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The readings were challenging as they were pre-1800 texts. I participated about the same as I would have at my home institution. The professor was very knowledgable. It was assessed with one final paper.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not sure yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Irish Literature and Language
Course Department: Irish and Celtic Studies
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English and Irish
Comments: This course was amazing for learning about Irish culture and the Irish language. We were assessed through two different essays.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not sure yet.