My Incredible Irish Experience Past Review

By (Business, University of St. Thomas - Minnesota) - abroad from 09/09/2016 to 12/20/2016 with

IFSA: Cork - University College Cork

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
100000% worth it. I gain a better perspective on the world and many cultures, while creating life long friendships!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Very laid back classes! Teachers do not expect you to come to class every day and there is limited homework. Most classes are graded on the final test or paper.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

IFSA Butler advisors, especially Suesie, are amazing. I felt like I had a group of people that cared about me and wanted me to be successful. Once I got stranded in Galway with a couple friends and my advisor helped us find many different safe options to get home. AMAZING!!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

YOU GET YOUR OWN ROOM. I cant even explain how nice it was to have my own space while abroad. The apartments were nice and clean and very safe.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The program advisors alone made this experience amazing. On top of that I made some amazing friends and memories traveling all over Europe.

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)

Alcohol is expensive but groceries are cheap!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 350- this includes travel
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I saved 100 every week for a year!!! It ended up being enough to travel to 14 countries and have an amazing time!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Friends
  • Advisors
  • Travel
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew to bring a winter coat....it got cold!!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.