Ireland: It was great Craic Past Review
By Stephanie S (PSYCHOLOGY., Anonymous University) for
IES Abroad: Dublin Direct Enrollment - Dublin City University
Going abroad has made me a little spoiled. Now I want to travel everywhere. Anytime I hear about an abroad opportunity I want to take it. I actually plan on doing a summer abroad program now. It made me so much more confident and aware of the world around me. Best choice of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The grading system is odd to get used to (seeing how I'm basing it off of the way we grade in the US) but the workload was a little easier than it would be in the states |
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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? |
IES set up housing for me and I loved it! It was really close to school (a 5 min walk) and a 10 min walk from the local Tesco (grocery store). It was a little incovenient living in the suburb area instead of directly in the city though. So nightlife was a bus ride away. But there were local bars where I lived that were enjoyable as well. Sheets and cookware were given to us, which was really great. |
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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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| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Unlike a lot of fellow students in my program, I opened a local bank account in Dublin. I thought that was a smart decision. That way they didn't charge an international fee every time I took out money with my US card. Also I would suggest planning out how much money you're going to be spending while traveling. I spent way more than I should have because I didn't plan it out before I left. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Ireland was the best decision of my life. I can't picture myself being in any other country. If you're thinking about this country... do it! You'll be surrounded by lovely culture, and absolutely wonderful people. You'll even learn a bunch of Irish words to take home with you. I miss it so much! |
