Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Belfast: an experience worth everything Past Review

By (Sociology., Texas Lutheran University) - abroad from 01/23/2014 to 06/08/2014 with

IFSA: Belfast - Queen's University Belfast

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a better sense of place and sel . I know more an out my world now that I thought I coul .

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There are less contact hours and more individualized studying. Little to no homewor . Everything is based in test .

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The ifsa staff were amazing and the experience would not have been the same without the . They had a fantastic balance between when to help us and when to let us learn.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was strange to have my own room but I enjoyed community time in the kitchen with my flatmates

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt integrated pretty well. The culture has a lot to do with the history which I grew up learning abou .

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The campus doctor was hard to visit die to the short length of the tri . Working the medical system was difficult.

* Safety:

One of the safest place I've ever been. Belfast was duvved the safest city in Europe.

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)

It was tricky to figure out the grocery system but in the end, it worked out very well.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $2,000
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save lots so you can experience as much as possible. You may only get to go to these places once.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • the staff
  • the culture
  • the beautiful landscape of NI
* What could be improved?
  • more weekend trips.
  • find a way to stop the rain!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Through study abroad, I met amazing peopl . And since coming home, study abroad has brought me closer to people in ways I never could have imagine . I wish I had known then that this experience really would change my life.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.