Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

CAPA Dublin: The Chance of a Lifetime Past Review

By (University of Tampa) - abroad from 09/05/2016 to 12/19/2016 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Dublin, Ireland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about the Irish language and culture and it was beyond worthwhile.

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.

My educational experience definitely was different than what I was used to. However, it was not too hard but not too easy. It was interesting to see how their academic expectations and grading was different.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The on-site administration of my program was actually walking distance from my flat. They were available whenever needed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a flat with three other girls and couldn't have wished for better roommates!

* Food:

My flat offered me a full kitchen which allowed me to make my own meals. The College also had a cafeteria which was available to the study abroad students as well.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt integrated with the Irish culture immediately after getting to school.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

When sick it was easily accessible to get to and from the doctors. The CAPA program director spoke directly with my doctors to ensure I was getting better. The healthcare system was just as good as it is back in the States. I did not need any specific vaccines for this program.

* Safety:

The overall safety in Dublin was great. There were cops on every corner and I never felt in danger.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

CAPA gave me the best study abroad experience I could've ever imagined! I'm so happy and thankfully I chose CAPA Dublin.

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)

It was not easy to live on a student's budget due to the fact that I travelled very often while abroad.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to save up as much money as possible for studying abroad so that you can travel while abroad.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I took an Irish Language class.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? college level spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • The location
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • nothing!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? nothing

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.