A 10 Year Long Dream Come True Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found the educational experience at University College Dublin to be of average standard. While I found the information intriguing, I did not feel overly challenged by the courses I took throughout the semester.

On-site administration of your program

The administration for my program was incredibly helpful throughout the entirety of the semester. The international office was supportive and hosted events for visiting students to better experience the country as a whole, which was incredible as a student on a tight budget. The Arts and Humanities department for my academic experience was also incredible as they were willing to answer any questions and made sure to make us feel welcomed from start to finish.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My apartment was comfortable and just what I needed for the semester. My only complaint is regarding the amount of noise in the courtyard outside at all hours of the night. It was not uncommon for me to be kept up until well after 2am as a result of other students yelling to friends outside.

I had a fair experience with the food in Ireland. Because it was on a tight budget, much of my experience involved cooking for myself after grocery shopping in local stores. In this sense, the food was great. It was easily accessible and very affordable. Grocery shopping there is one of the things that I miss the most now that I am home!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

As I spent much of my semester abroad alone, I did not venture out as much as other students may have as a principle of safety. Regardless of this, I felt very much invited into the culture of the community around me when I did decide to explore the city or surrounding towns.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was lucky to not experience any need for healthcare while abroad and that there was no need for additional vaccines required for staying in my host country.

As an individual who traveled solo for nearly the entirety of my time abroad, I never felt unsafe when out and about. The few times that I traveled in the dark or at night, I felt comfortable in my environment and was lucky to never encounter a concerning incident. Even in the cities, I did not feel that there was a need for concern regarding my safety.

While I loved being a short walk from the ocean at my location, I quickly realized that I would have preferred to have been located closer to the city. The quaintness of Belfield was fantastic, but had I been located in Dublin City, I would have had easier access to more affordable transportation. This may have allowed me to go out and see the country more than I was able to. Additionally, being in the city may have encouraged me to spend more time out and about, rather than confined to campus, particularly on days where the weather was bad.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I was very careful about my budget and because I am someone who does not enjoy going out every night or did not anticipate traveling to other countries regularly, it was easy for me to stay under budget while abroad. Because I went in knowing that my budget would be tight, I was able to make smart financial decisions and find ways to travel and explore that would allow me to see the country, but also spend as little as possible.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Flexibility
• A more relaxed academic environment
• Encouragement to embrace the community and culture fully

• Regular communication with students during their transition to programs
• Events throughout the semester for abroad students to continue to get to know each other

The Avid Adventurer