Dork for Cork Past Review

By (Saint Anselm College) - abroad from 01/01/2012 to 05/26/2012 with

API (Academic Programs International): Cork - National University Of Ireland, University College Cork

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile. I learned how to think about the world as a whole and how things affect it as such, instead of just how things affect the US.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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? 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 80-120 Euros

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

  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Great cultural experiences
  • Making friends with locals was easy
  • Easter break allowed for sufficient time to see the rest of Europe
* What could be improved?
  • Apartments closer to campus should be used (but Victoria Lodge isn't bad).
  • Students should be encouraged to take more classes which are not geared towards international students only.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that Victoria Lodge provided blankets, etc.