I want to go back! Take me back! Past Review

By Alice B (HISTORY., Austin College) - abroad from 01/24/2014 to 05/28/2014 with

IFSA: Belfast - Teacher Education at Stranmillis University College

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned so much about the different school system and what others think of the different ways people teach in the different countries. And yes it was worthwhile, a hundred percent worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I enjoyed the teachers and the staff. They helped explain everything when I didn't understand something. I also just have a great time in classes there.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The International Office and their staff were amazing and made me feel right at home.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived on campus. I had my bedroom to myself and my own bathroom. I shared a kitchen with the other but that was fine we never go in each other's way.
* Food:	I have an allergy to preservatives so I can't give a very good review but the other students loved the food and said that it was better than their home universities so I bet it was better than mine.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	They made it easy to assimilate. I mean they took us to one of their sports teams (Hockey) game which was so cool. Go Giants!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I got a seriously upset stomach one time and it was during my placement. I called my placement school and told them I was ill and an hour or so later I got a call from the International office asking what they could do to help me out. They were great.
* Safety:	The whole campus is in a good area of the city and it also has the whole place gated off and there is a guard at the front gate 24/7. I felt very safe while I was there.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No

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 easy. They feed you on campus and public transportation is cheap.

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 Americans International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International 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?	I was able to go into the schools in Belfast and see what the kids and schools were truly like in another country.
* What could be improved?	Information available to the abroad students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That there was so much walking involved. I did lose weight though so that worked out.

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Peace and Conflict
Course Department:	History
Instructor:	Eàmon Phenix
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	I am a History major at my home university and this was my last history for my major and what a history it was. I learned so much from Eàmon. He was awesome and so full of knowledge about Irish History which is what this course is all about. There were only two of us in his class but he told us that there were usually about 18+ in his class (our group was small not nearly that number). He took us on field trips both through his teaching but also physically. I learned so much from him and if I could take another one of his classes I would.
Credit Transfer Issues: