My Heart is Still in Galway, Ireland Past Review
By Caitlyn Brennan (Worcester State University) - abroad from 08/30/2016 to 12/17/2016 with
API (Academic Programs International): Galway - National University Of Ireland, Galway
I learned so much from my time abroad. I learned about myself and I learned how much I really love Ireland. It was definitely worth every penny.
Review Photos
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. |
Academics are definitely different in Ireland, meaning the classes I took were large lectures rather than the smaller, more intimate classes I was used to at home. However, I found the material quite interesting. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I couldn't have asked for better directors, Finn and Kevin were amazing and made my time in Galway absolutely unforgettable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Gort na Coiribe was everything you'd expect for student accommodation; it wasn't the best, but I loved every minute of it because I was surrounded by students like me all the time. |
| * Food: |
I found buying food at the grocery store to be cheaper than at home, which was really nice. However, eating out was definitely more expensive. The overall quality of the food is better than the U.S. in that things don't stay as long because they aren't filled with preservatives. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved the local culture and I felt like I was able to immerse myself in it quickly and easily. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Thankfully I didn't have to deal with the healthcare during my time there. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt really safe in Galway even at night coming home from pubs and such. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved API. Everything from the directors to the excursions to our housing was exactly what I wanted and needed. |
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) |
I definitely should've tried harder to live on a student budget. It is completely doable to do so, I just wasn't as careful as I probably should have been. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About one hundred euro depending on what trips I planned. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Stay in air bnbs when you travel to different countries and try to buy food at Tesco or Aldi's. |
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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| 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? |
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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? | I wish I had been more confident and less nervous. I had no reason to worry as much as I did. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
