Once in a Lifetime Experience - I Already Miss Everything About my Travels Past Review

By (Accounting and Related Services., Providence College) - abroad from 01/13/2013 to 05/19/2013 with

Arcadia: Dublin - University College Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
culture experience money handling experience Maturity Safety experience Acceptance of Others Appreciation for the overwhelming differences from person to person around the world

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

Did not have any health-related issues or experience, but healthcare and a hospital were nearby and information was always made available

* 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)

Food was not expensive, experiences were, as will be the case anywhere you go. Travel is never cheap, but I had saved up a long time for this trip and was prepared to spend all that I had worked for.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? approx. 100 per week, on average
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save up as much money as you possibly can right when you first decide to study abroad. When you do end up getting to your city of choice, there will be a lot of miscellaneous expenses right up front at the beginning. You do not want money to be an issue that holds you back from having the best experience of your life.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Dublin
  • Ireland - the countryside
  • The People
* What could be improved?
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Time flies - do not waste a second

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'