Fulfilling a Life-long Dream Past Review

By (Fordham University) - abroad from 12/27/2011 to 05/26/2012 with

Arcadia: Cork - University College Cork

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Of course my experience abroad was worthwhile. I made great friends, explored a different part of the world, and found a home three thousand miles away from home.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not very academically rigorous or intense, but very interesting classes and good resources. Wish I had gone for UCC for my full degree.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

No problems, but not extra spectacular.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Deanshall is typical student accommodation, nothing spectacular. Five singles, and we all shared a common living area and kitchen. The oven was gross when we arrived, and the place was never able to stay too clean for long. Good location, right near city centre, but also right by all the bars and clubs. This could be good for you, but as my window was right over the Washington Street entrance, it wasn't so great for me around 2am every night.

* Food:

I can't cook for myself, so I wound up spending a lot of money eating out, but the actual food was good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I made a decent amount of local friends, but would highly suggest staying for a year or more to achieve a better integration with the local culture. A semester just isn't long enough.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I only got sick once. Walked right into the clinic on campus. I had to wait for about two hours, but I got a prescription for antibiotics for a sinus infection no problem, and when I went to go buy it at the pharmacy it was only like four euro.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe in Cork.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

I can't cook for myself, so I wound up spending a lot of money on food, but I had also saved a significant amount of money for my semester abroad and so knew I had a decent amount to spend. If I brought less I would have spent less.

* 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? Including travel, probably about a hundred and fifty dollars.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find a dollar/euro/pound store early, and you always need about half as many souvenirs as you think you do.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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?
  • Good amount of pre-departure information
  • Trips with the program during the semester
  • Several free meals
* What could be improved?
  • Very costly
  • Hostels we stayed in for orientation and Belfast trip were very crowded
  • Orientation program was informative, but no one wants to be sitting in a crowded lecture room watching powerpoints on their first three days in Ireland
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Knowing what I know now, I wish I had applied to UCC for my degree instead of only studying there for a semester via an American study abroad program. Barring that, I wish I had stayed for a year. A semester is not long enough.