AHA Ireland Changed My LIFE! Past Review

By (International Studies, Saginaw Valley State University) for

GEO: Dublin - Study Abroad Programs in Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This program changed the way that I see myself and the way that I see the world. 5 weeks wasn't nearly long enough for me! I could have easily stayed in Ireland for months to follow. I am actually planning a trip back for the upcoming summer. Before going to Ireland I was terrified to travel on my own and now I can't wait to get back and to travel the world. I have always been interested in studying other cultures, but going to Ireland gave the drive to leave the classroom and actually see the world for myself. Ireland encouraged me to be open-minded in a way that one can't be while at home. It's one thing to say that you understand and appreciate other cultures while surrounded by people who are similar to yourself, it's a completely different thing to immerse yourself in someone else's culture and to find beauty in it.

Review Photos

AHA International: Dublin - Summer Cultural Studies Photo AHA International: Dublin - Summer Cultural Studies Photo AHA International: Dublin - Summer Cultural Studies Photo AHA International: Dublin - Summer Cultural Studies Photo AHA International: Dublin - Summer Cultural Studies 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.

Perhaps I'm completely biased as I am a bit of a nerd, but I thought the set up was perfect. We attended class on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and had Excursions on Wednesdays. Lectures were typically guided by power point and flowed perfectly with the excursions thus not only were we able to have a class lecture where they taught us the information, but we were also able to visualize and conceptualize what actually occurred by actually going to places that were mentioned in our books or throughout the lecture. Being able to make those connections, even when watching films were vital to our retaining the information. My professors were very open to answering questions and clearly clarifying any concerns that we had. They had no problem using google to show us images if they were referencing things and usually they already had an image with them. The grading was very similar to what happens in the states, only we were sure that they were giving us the grades that we deserved versus giving grades based on who agreed with their opinion. To me it was perfect.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Overall, I thought the program was perfect. The only downside was that it usually took the computers a while to print as I don't think they were used to having 40 people jamming the server with information at once. I would definitely suggest getting to campus early to ensure that you're able to find a computer. The administration was amazing, always open and willing to help us if a situation arose. They were kind and full of information on things for us to do around town. My expectations were definitely exceeded.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I absolutely loved my host family. They were the nicest and more open people that I have ever met. My house was in a wonderful and to be honest PERFECT location. I was able to walk when I wanted or catch the bus if I so chose. There were always taxis about. I was close enough to Dublin to walk to the DART station and could easily make my way around Dun Laoghaire. I was about a 20-25 minute walk to class and 10 minutes from town. I didn't have to buy anything really unless it was something that I forgot to pack. I would definitely like to think that I was treated like family. One of the best parts was hearing my host brother refer to me and my roommate as "my Americans." My roommate was also pretty great! We were complete opposites in so many ways, but our family helped us to bond and see past our differences. I wouldn't change a thing!

* Food:

The food was absolutely fantastic. I really had absolutely no idea what to expect once I arrived. My host mother was a fantastic cook, and while we were given the option to go out to dinner with friends, my roommate and I were generally home every day for family dinner. I loved the Pizza there. That was perhaps the only fast food that I let myself eat and I'm glad I did. If there is someone in the group with an Iphone there is an app that finds local restaurants and ratings. The Irish Stew was definitely a favorite as were the fish and chips. It's a bit more expensive to eat at actual restaurants than choosing McDonalds, but it's DEFINITELY worth it.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The excursions were among the best parts of the program. From our first tour of Dublin to the last, it was amazing. We were able to go to Parliament, we visited Kilmainham Gaol, we even explored the Castle and town were they shot scenes from Braveheart. Our group became very much like a family thanks to our weekend away in Glencolmcille, Donegal. We climbed a mountain together and we took music/sports lessons together. In Dublin, we were able to visit the Croke Park for a tour and stand in the speaker's box, and when a few of us returned later in the summer for a Gaelic Football match, we were able to stand on Hill 16. The excursions and trips were fantastic and this isn't even half of what we saw/did.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Dun Laoghaire is very safe city and Dublin too is very safe as well. One shouldn't ignore the basic travel and safety tips as it's always a good idea to travel with at least one other person and for young women to keep their purses in front of them and things of that sort. We never had any issues with safety that I am aware of. Whenever someone was sick, which wasn't very often, the students were taken to see a doctor where they could receive the medical attention needed. Although I was never sick during our trip, every thing seemed a lot faster and like less of a hassle in Ireland than in the States. We didn't need any sort of vaccines or anything of the sort.

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

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The People
  • Everything
  • The Classes
* What could be improved?
  • Faster internet in the Univeristy
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be open-minded and don't take a single moment for granted. Studying in Ireland was the BEST experience of my life thus far and I would not trade it for the world. Do not sit at home. Go out. Take walks. Talk to people that you don't know. Try foods that you wouldn't normally try. It's all a part of the experience. This program is for everyone! We had people from all different backgrounds and lifestyles and we became a family. To this day I still talk to people from my trip and miss them like I miss my own best friends and family. This trip will change your life if you let it. Don't miss out on a fantastic opportunity!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Myth, Legend and Folklore: Exploring Early Irish Literature

Course Department:
Instructor: Michelle Piazza
Instruction Language: English with bits of Irish
Comments: The literature course was challenging to say the least, but it was well worth it. I don't think I have ever laughed so much while actually retaining information. Some of the stories were a bit difficult, as the names often repeated themselves or were simply traditional Irish names that I wasn't used to pronouncing, but Michelle is excellent at Irish and clarified any mispronunciations. The excursions were DEFINITELY relevant to the courses, the trip to Knowth was absolutely perfect, setting the scene for the class perfectly. At one point we could even see Tara from a distance as we stood at the top of a Norman castle. It was brilliant! Michelle is extremely knowledgeable of her craft and there is honestly no better professor to teach the course. I definitely participated often throughout the class, but that's just something I do. What was really great was seeing even the quiet people participate.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Transatlantic Currents: Ireland & America in the Modern Era

Course Department:
Instructor: David Kilroy
Instruction Language: English
Comments: As a history course the Transatlantic Currents class was naturally difficult considering the fact that it's not easy to make history seem anything but dry. The Irish, however, have a long and colorful history and David did a fantastic job of bringing that to life. The excursions were well-balanced with the course. The set up in regard to the class definitely allowed for us to see the evolution of history as it played out. David was amazing, full of insight in regard to every side of the arguments of Irish history. The course was definitely well-prepared and well-rounded, and we never felt as if he were scrambling for information. David was definitely relaxed enjoyable. I participated as much as normally would, if not more. I was able to use notes from his class while taking history at home in the States.
Credit Transfer Issues: