Too short a time to spend in my favorite city, with my favorite people. Past Review
By Elyssa Terry-DeRycke (Messiah College) - abroad from 01/08/2018 to 01/26/2018 with
Gaiety School of Acting: Dublin - Direct Enrollment in National Theatre School of Ireland
I gained further skill from outstanding educators and an option for graduate school in the future. It was definitely a worthwhile experience.
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. |
The professors were all very encouraging and dedicated to the craft, but I felt l wasn't challenged and pushed in the way I had hoped. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There were multiple scheduling errors and a lack of consistant communiication, but everyone was very helpful and friendly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Abbey Court Hostel was clean, staff was pleasant, and we had smaller rooms with classmates rather than large rooms with strangers. |
| * Food: |
The bakery across the street is super convenient for lunch, but it would be wonderful if they took cards. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The cultural activities planned for us were very touristy. I really had to make an effort to go out after class and find locals and take suggestions from them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health issues on the trip other than a minor cold so I didn't really experience local healthcare. I didn't need any vaccines for the trip either. |
| * Safety: |
I felt like Dublin was very safe especially coming from a larger city in the states. I never felt like I was in danger and the local people are very friendly and helpful with directions. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program was validating for me as a young artist. I only wish it was longer. |
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) |
Everything was really expensive in Dublin, but I am not the typical student because I work full time during the school year so money was not an issue for me. Its definitely cheaper to buy groceries and cook in the hostel, but most of my classmates would eat out for every meal. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't underestimate places like McDonalds and Burger King for a cheap meal while you're abroad. Fast food restaurants have far more options and are better quality in Europe. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | The best places to meet people casually. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
