Wonderful Time in Dublin through IFSA-Butler! Past Review
By Erin H (Accountancy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott campus) for
IFSA: Dublin - University College Dublin
Absolutely. I have grown up, seen the world, and met incredible people.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The work load wasn't too bad at all. There was only a class or two that were just as difficult as they would be back at my home university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My house country program adminstration was very good. Things take a couple days longer for people to get back to you in Ireland, but i was prepared for that. The person in charge of all study students was well organized and really helped us in any way she could. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The campus at UCD is wonderful. I was able to live with Irish students, and they helped ease me into the accent barrier and taught me what certain phrases meant. It was so nice to be able to live with them. I would never have the opportunity to do that back home. I had to get sheets, but if you could bring it if it could fit. Other things like hangers you had to buy as well. Class for me was only a five minute walk on campus. The nightlife was about a 10=15 minute cab ride (not the best not the worst). |
| * Food: |
There was a little connivence store called Centra right near our dorms in Merville. It had all you need and wasn't expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We got to go on many different trips. Through IFSA and the Quinn School of Business, we were taken to the Guinness factory, the oldest church on the North side of the River, Adventure Weekend and Northern Ireland. That was one of my favorite parts of being abroad. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Dublin is overall a very safe city. The only thing you need to remember: never be alone at night. It is a foreign country and you won't know your way around as well as other who live there permanently. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Make sure you can be away from home. It is very easy to get homesick if you are the kind of person who needs that comfort zone. |
