Best time of my life so far! Can't wait to go back! Past Review

By (International/Global Studies., Saint John Fisher College) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 05/15/2012 with

AIFS: Limerick - University of Limerick

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
How much I truly love to travel. I loved UL so much I'm going to go back to get my Masters.

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.

Okay, they grade pretty hard here. You don't really have to attend classes, they're not going to take attendance, but if you want to do well you really should. Most classes have a paper and a final or just a final as you whole grade for the class. A 75% or higher is an A but they're very hard to get.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were so lovely! Very helpful and always available if you had a question or a problem with anything!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my house. I lived with two Spanish people (one boy one girl), a French girl, a German girl, a Chinese girl, and two other Americans (one boy one girl). Kitchen was nice, we did have to buy a microwave though. Heating wasn't bad. There is a way to set the heating to come on at certains times and to turn off during the day when no one is home to save money. And the hot water can be tuned on and off to also save money. So you don't get money taken out of your deposit to cover the cost of what you went over in heating and water usage.

* Food:

Best place to get chips in Limerick is the Golden Grill! Right by the bus stop in Limerick City. The food on campus is okay. I really just cooked for myself. Aldi is super close and super cheap! But you'll get food money so you can spend it where you want on what you want. Dunnes is also a good place to buy food, even though it's a little more costly.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated. They Irish are so welcoming!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I got super sick when I got back from Italy on Spring break. After three days of what felt like dying I went to the health center on campus, you have to go early if you want to get an appointment for that day, saw the doctor and he gave me a prescription and had it filled at the pharmacy near the off-license down the street from Plassey Village all within an hour. Also it was only 8 euros! The doctor was very friendly as well.

* Safety:

I felt really safe in the more shoppy area of the city. Definitely do not go across the bridge where the Munster Stadium is by yourself. Ever. Limerick is safe as long as you use commonsense.

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)

I saved up a lot of money and the exchange rate will kill you if it's not in your favor. So save up more then you think you will need. But AIFS gives you a check every month for food money so that will relieve you off some costs.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? less than 50 euros.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't waste your food money on alcohol at the pubs and clubs. I didn't and had friends who did them they had to use their own money on food.

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
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Food Money
  • Planned trips
  • the people!
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A better idea of how the classes are structured over there.