Amazing Adventure Past Review
By zhkeenan (HISTORY., University of Vermont) - abroad from 01/01/2011 to 05/27/2011 with
API (Academic Programs International): Cork - National University Of Ireland, University College Cork
I learned how to travel abroad successfully and independently. I have more confidence in myself and pride in the accomplishment of living abroad!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
API was such a good choice for me! I stayed in an apartment at Victoria Lodge set up by API and every two weeks we would travel around Ireland. On our weekends that we weren't traveling with API, we would travel around Ireland with friends. University College Cork is an amazing school. Coming from UVM, school was easier to handle and manage (there isn't much homework or tests) and definitely less stressful. I think API was the best choice to make because you arrive with a group and API leads the way to your apartment, where to get groceries, where to shop for the apartment (like bedding, cleaning supplies, etc) and tells you all the info you'll need to live abroad for 5-6 months. I would reccommend API for the traveler who needs a little guidance in figuring out life abroad but they give plenty of lee-way for the traveler who wants to do their own thing. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
You are given a guide who is available 100% of the time. You can reach them whenever you have a question or concern, they are really accommodating. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Victoria Lodge was a great location to be in Cork City, the apartment management could have been better but it is a spacious place for a european apartment. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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| * 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? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Campus has the cheapest food, so eat there a lot!! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | pack lighter |
