Intensely Fun Intense Summer Acting Course Past Review
By A student (English/Creative Writing, Webster University) - abroad from 06/05/2013 to 07/19/2013 with
IES Abroad: Dublin Direct Enrollment - National Theatre School of Ireland-Gaiety School of Acting
I learned a lot about myself. I learned that I'm a very independent person who doesn't mind feeling a bit like a fish out of water. I also learned I'm less shy than I thought I was, and that when put in a situation where I don't know anyone, I can make friends quickly. I also loved my experience in Ireland as a whole and I would be happy living permanently in Dublin.
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. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I'm sure it was great, but I never had the need to use any health facilities while abroad. |
| * Safety: |
|
| 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) |
Eating out in Dublin was very expensive. Also, figuring out how many portions to buy at the grocery store of produce, meat, bread, and dairy was a little tricky at first. I wasted money buying too much at one time because I wasn't used to groceries going bad as quickly as they do outside the States. However, once I adjusted to buying smaller portions and limiting the amount I ate out, I survived easily on a student budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably 50-100 euros a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat out less, but create a eat/drink-out budget per week so that you feel like you can still go out and have fun. Buy most food at the grocery store, but don't buy too much at one time. There are many corner stores (like Spar) that have well-stocked groceries and you can easily stop every few days to restock (which overall means spending less money because you don't throw away food that went bad before you could eat it). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew to bring more ibuprofen since there isn't any in Ireland. |
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.' |
