Everyone Should Go Abroad Past Review
By A student (Political Science and Government/ English, Baylor University) - abroad from 01/15/2015 to 05/09/2015 with
FIE (Foundation for International Education): Semester/Year with University College Dublin (UCD)
Aside from enjoying the cultural aspects of being abroad, I found that having to be alone in a new country taught me things about myself that I wouldn't have learned otherwise. We also went on weekend trips to other parts of Ireland which was probably one of my favorites things about studying abroad. It was an opportunity I believe everyone should experience. I can't wait to go back.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was unaware just how far the university was from the housing arrangements. It did make it complicated to get to and from campus when I only had one class or wanted to go to the library to study. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If anything it really does help to plan out how much money you are going to have and to make a plan and know that you have this much money for food and this much for traveling. It really helped me to divide it up also by week. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The foreign language itself isn't used much in the country. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | It wasn't exactly a course as much as just teaching us phrases and words. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * 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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
