Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best 6 weeks of my life in Dublin, Ireland Past Review

By (English, University of Arizona) for

American College Dublin: Irish Language & Culture Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This experience was absolutely worthwhile! I learned a lot, I made amazing friends, and had the best 6 weeks of my life. I wish I could go back!

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.

I found the workload to be relatively reasonable. I took an English course, a history course, and a media course, and each had one or two major assignments with some kind of final attached. The professors were great; they had limited time to teach their subjects, and I learned a lot in that short time. They trusted us to do the work necessary and didn't hover over our work.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our group was split into several locations, and I was placed in the house on College Street. The location was fantastic; only a few minutes to ACD, Temple Bar, and Grafton Street. The interior of the house was plain but nice. I think my roommate and I were happy with our room: we had warm water every morning, it stayed pretty quiet, and we usually had good Internet access. I will say that your housing experience depends entirely on your fellow housemates.

* 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

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)

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

  • Americans

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Anglo-Irish Writers
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: We had a lot of text to cover in a very short amount of time, which the instructor understood. We took a lot of time in class to go over the texts, and we also watched some film adaptations of several of the books.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Cinema and Society
Course Department:
Instructor: Colum Cronin
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I had fun with this course, especially because our study abroad director was teaching it. It revealed a different side of Irish society that Americans don't really think about.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

History of the Irish Famine
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I really enjoyed this course for the hands-on approach by the instructor. We took a few field trips around Dublin, as well as one to a famine museum several hours outside the city. Like the literature course, it was a lot of information to absorb in a short amount of time, but I enjoyed the challenge.
Credit Transfer Issues: