Dublin: Best City to Study Abroad In! Past Review

By (Professional Writing, Champlain College) for

Champlain Abroad: Study in Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience really opened my eyes to new cultures and helped me to think more globally. I am definitely more aware of other cultures now and I now hope to someday live and work abroad.

Review Photos

Champlain Abroad : Study in Dublin Photo Champlain Abroad : Study in Dublin Photo Champlain Abroad : Study in Dublin Photo Champlain Abroad : Study in Dublin Photo

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 workload was light throughout the semester and only heavy during mid-terms and finals. The educational system in Ireland focused more on mid-term and final projects and papers rather than weekly homework assignments. The teaching methods were great and we spent a lot of time outside the classroom and learning about the culture by experiencing it.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program exceeded my expectations. The faculty and staff were all incredibly helpful and supportive, were knowledgeable about both my host country and American higher education, and they always went out of their way to help students. The only thing I would have like were more opportunities to meet Irish people/students my age.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartments were nice and clean, and I liked that they came with furniture, sheets, kitchen accessories, etc., but they were not very big. Sharing a bedroom was a bit of a challenge, but the worst part was not having enough space for my stuff and not having a desk to do school work on. The neighborhood was a little sketchy, but it really wasn't too bad, and it was close to stores, school, and nightlife. I had an overall good roommate experience, and was overall satisfied with the living arrangements.

* Food:

Grocery stores were close by, and the restaurants and cafes I went to were great. I would recommend The Porter House, Burritos and Blues, The Red Rose Cafe, and Leo Burdock's to future students.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was so much going on in Dublin and there were tons of opportunities to meet new people and see new things. The trips planned by the program administration were great as well and really gave me the opportunity to explore the country.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Dublin is a very safe city, and I felt very safe the entire time I was there. The Irish people were very friendly and helpful. There were a couple times when I walked alone at night and I was fine, but I really recommend walking with at least one other person at night, especially in sketchy neighborhoods. The program has a partnership with a local doctor's office and it is very easy to get appointments there; the operations manager of the program will even make the appointment for you if you want. There were no health issues in Dublin or Ireland and I did not need any vaccines.

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?
  • Fully immerses you in the culture
* What could be improved?
  • Opportunities to meet peers from host country
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would highly recommend this program to students who really want to go abroad but are a little hesitant because they are introverted. I was worried most about making friends, but I instantly became friends with all the people in my program and we immediately became our own little family.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Dublin Literary Experience

Course Department: ENG 335
Instructor: Caroline Elbay
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great course. Very interesting and diverse works and topics. You really learn about Irish authors and how the Irish culture affected their writing.
Credit Transfer Issues: None.
Course Name/Rating:

Dublin Literature Seminar

Course Department: ENG 350X
Instructor: Caroline Elbay
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was challenging, the teacher was well-prepared and knowledgeable, and there were many field trips around Dublin that made the course more interesting, fun, and easier to understand. I participated in class more often than I would have at my home institution because of the small course size and the closeness of the group.
Credit Transfer Issues: None.
Course Name/Rating:

Cultural Immersion Through the Fine Arts

Course Department: ART 220
Instructor: Jacinta Kendrick
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was amazing. I learned so much about Irish culture and various kinds of Irish art. We rarely had class in the classroom, but instead were at museums, galleries, or just walking around the city of Dublin check out the architecture. The professor covers many categories of art, including paintings, sculpture, photography, architecture, and film. The personal art project at the end of the semester was really fun and didn't require any fancy art skills.
Credit Transfer Issues: None.
Course Name/Rating:

History of Northern Ireland

Course Department: HIS 416
Instructor: Kelly Maoileoin
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was amazing. I learned so much about the histories of both Ireland and Northern Ireland, and saw first hand how the long conflict in Northern Ireland has affected its people. The instructor was extremely knowledgeable and field trips to Northern Ireland were moving, interesting, educational, and fun.
Credit Transfer Issues: None.
Course Name/Rating:

Writing the City: Dublin

Course Department: WRT 335
Instructor: Stephen McMahon
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was really interesting and allowed me to explore the city and write about my experiences. Simple and unique writing exercises helped me to improve my writing and made the time when we were in the classroom more fun.
Credit Transfer Issues: None.