Semester in Dublin Past Review

By (Longwood University) - abroad from 02/01/2012 to 05/28/2012 with

CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Dublin - Semester in Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile. I'll be going abroad again in the future, without a doubt.

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.

The system is entirely different in Dublin, I didn't have any homework or projects all year, and my entire grade depended on one final exam. It was great during the semester because I could travel and do whatever I wanted without worrying about school work. The last three weeks were epically stressful though because I had to study for the exams. The entire course is tested on the exam, so there was very little detail needed and they really weren't that hard. I way overstudied.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

After the initial initiation I hardly ever heard from them and it was hard to get help from that office without going in and making appointments or talking directly with them.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartments were nicer there than the apartments at my home school.

* Food:

I just went to tesco and cooked in my apartment. There was a restaurant on campus with sandwiches and things but it's all really expensive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Ireland is very westernized, a lot of things are similar to the U.S so it didn't take long to get adjusted and the culture shock was not quite as bad.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Everybody in my program got sick at some point. We just suffered through it with cold medicine from the spar.

* Safety:

Apparently Ballymun, the street we were living on is a well known ghetto. Though I never felt unsafe or anything.

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)

Closer to 1 or 2. Europe is extravagantly expensive, far more so than I ever realized or planned for.

* 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? about 100 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat out, save your money for travelling, buy your own alcohol (pubs are expensive) if your a drinker, get a bus pass (expensive at first but absolutely worth it), if you need clothes shop at penneys (shirts can be found for 1 euro, everything there is cheap), budget your money and try to stick to it

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Travelling and seeing Europe
  • Meeting foreigners and living in a different culture
* What could be improved?
  • The rain haha
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How expensive it is to live in Europe.