"Champlain College Dublin Campus: Brought back my cheerful glow and taught me so much about myself!" Past Review

By (Early childhood/elementary education, Champlain College) for

Champlain Abroad: Study in Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Well my future plans now include so much traveling I was able to see through studying abroad that there re so many things in this world that I want and need to see. I came to a lot of personal understandings and really grew as a person which I am happy and proud of. Thank you Stephen Robinson, Claire Gannon, and Annie Grantham, and everyone who was in Dublin fall 2011!! I couldn't have done it without any of the people who I met and who supported me along the way. I gave the Champlain College Dublin experience a 5 star rating because it is the highest rating I could give I would have given higher if it was possible. There are not enough words to describe how amazing it is to study abroad.

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.

The academics at the Champlain College Dublin campus are great. We spent very little time in the actual classroom most of our time we went on field trips and got to learn by seeing and touching things. It was fantastic I visited almost every museum in Dublin with my art class and was able to go to the Irish Parliament building with my history class. The professors are so great. They know their subjects really well and were all great people to get along with. The grades were fine grading systems across the board were more than reasonable, I don't feel that any of the grades I received were unfair or un-justified. The huge difference is that even though Champlain College in Burlington raves about our upside down curriculum (which I love) however, we spend a lot of time in the classroom for a school that claims to be very hands on.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Claire and Stephen were great resources on our campus and always available to help out or answer questions for us. Annie Grantham planned us great events to play gaelic games and see mummies the administrative staff on the Champlain College Dublin campus is so helpful and so focused on making your time abroad easier and filled with more fun and new experiences.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The neighborhood was a little rough, as an education major I don't often dislike children however, the kids in our neighborhood were out of control. As far as the actual apartments go they are comfortable and nice but things often broke or stopped working the way they were supposed to. The receptions staff at the augustine apartments are absolutely incredible so nice and helpful.

* Food:

The food was so great!! No preservatives in Ireland nothing but real food....I felt fantastic and you can watch for deals at different restaurants pubs and take aways int he area to get pretty cheap food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There wer two field trips planned for us one to western ireland to see the cliffs of moher and galway and the other trips was to northern ireland and belfast. Both trips were a lot of fun and educational and best of all gave us the opportunity to see other parts of Ireland. The west was my favorite. The school also provided events for hiking, and exploring the city throughout the semester.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt that overall Dublin was a surprisingly safe city, aside from some of the people in our neighborhood. Everyone really just sticks to themselves and minds their own business in Ireland it's really a part of the culture they aren't trying to make trouble. But one thing to just always be smart about is the fact that a lot of people in Dublin are often intoxicated which could change their normal moods just a little.

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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The teachers
* What could be improved?
  • the exchange rate
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Any student interested in studying in Ireland. The campus is small but really nice. The group that you will live with and take classes with will become your family. A person who is nervous about being a foreign country on their own would also greatly benefit from this program because the group that goes will become very close.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Irish Social Modern History

Course Department: HIS
Instructor: Anthony O'Halloran
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was one of my favorite classes. Anthony O'Halloran is one of the greatest teachers I have ever had. He was a lot of fun and he really loved history. We learned a lot through a lot of different ways. He had us read a novel for the class but we also had a small textbook for the course. We watched films and went on field trips it is a very balanced and very well taught class.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Earth Science w/lab

Course Department:
Instructor: Stephen Robinson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was that most challenging class that I took all semester. However, it was one of my favorites, I loved our teacher Stephen Robinson he is a very intelligent professor and is always willing to answer questions and help you along the way. I truly earned a lot in his class, information that has stuck with me. I think anyone going to this campus should take the science class.
Credit Transfer Issues: Nope