MISSING IRELAND EVERY DAY SINCE I LEFT! Past Review
By Meghan M (Mass Communications, Franklin Pierce University) for
American College Dublin: Irish Language & Culture Program
AMAZING! Everyone should study abroad while in college!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Overall the classes while abroad were completely managable and fairly easy. It made the experiance more enjoyable. I especially liked that we did not have classes on Friday, allowing us to go on longer weekend trips to other parts of Europe. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was a good program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my housing situation. I became extremely close with local neighbors who I still speak with today 5 years later. I was even able to get a job at the local pub while there and fully indulge myself in the culture. |
| * Food: |
The school food got old after a while but it was good. As far as local places to eat my favorite was Kate's Cottage across from Connelly Station. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved the people I lived with, the neighbors who were also our building security guards, the American Rep, the people who worked at the school, the professors, and just about everything about my experience. The school provided outings for the American students where we went on small day trips, one over night trip, a night at the movies, a concert, and more. These were all free for us students and totally worth it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The area where we lived was in a tougher part of the city, but a city is a city and you have to expect there will be bad areas. We learned where was safe for us to walk alone and what areas to avoid when alone very quickly with help from our building security guards. As far as health issues I did not have any while there but if we needed anything there were local walk in clinics and pharmacy all over the city. |
| 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) |
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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | When you go abroad dont cling to other american students go out and meet people in the culture. Get a local job! I met some of the best people while working at the pub, people I still keep in contact with today. I remember on the last night all of the american students were all together at the pub full of tears because we were leaving one another but the truth is we can all see each other back here in American with a long car ride or a short plane ride. I spent my last night with a bottle of wine and the neighbors and my second to last night at the pub I worked at with a few of the American students and all of the locals into the wee hours of the night. You are going to meet Irish people and learn about their culture not meet more AMERICANS! |
