Pobail January 15, 2023

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/04/2022 to 12/17/2022 with

Arcadia: Dublin - University College Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
An experience like this gives you that boost of confidence that you can just get up and move to different continent and things will for the most part work out. It's so valuable to have the chance to start fresh somewhere and build a routine up from scratch.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found the Irish students to be significantly less engaged and interested in their schoolwork than kids back home. Classes were large and professors were sometimes difficult to reach. I found classes generally easy enough, though most of my grades depended on finals week (~70%).

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Arcadia staff were very friendly and supportive. I went on several of their trips/events after our initial orientation. They did a good job of fostering a sense of community between colleges in Ireland. I hung out with Arcadia kids at UCD and we also stayed in touch the with Arcadia kids at Trinity and elsewhere in Ireland.

* 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? Yes

While I have some funny ideas about how I would go to Rome or Prague if I did it all over agin because the food and drinks are cheaper, overall I was happy with my time in Dublin and especially happy with Arcadia's programming and the people it introduced me to.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make your own food when possible and shop at big chain supermarkets.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The other students Arcadia introduced me to
  • Arcadia trips/events
  • The independence of everyday life
* What could be improved?
  • More Arcadia events at the end of the semester
  • More communication with professors
  • Maybe have students guaranteed to be living with at least one other Arcadia student.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I was a little more prepared for the difference in attitude between American and Irish college students.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

HIS20780: History of Science

Course Department: History
Instructor: Dr. Edward Collins
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: Transferred to my history minor
Course Name/Rating:

ECON20060: Irish Economy

Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Dr. Ciara Whelan
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: Transferred as an econ elective
Course Name/Rating:

ECON20190: Intro to Financial Economics

Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Prof. Vincent Hogan
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: Did not transfer to econ major.
Course Name/Rating:

ECON30150: International Money & Banking

Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Prof. Karl Whelan
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: Transferred as an econ elective.