Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Craic by the Bucketful (Craic is an Irish term for fun) Past Review

By (Psychology, Politics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/03/2016 to 12/23/2016 with

IFSA: Dublin - University College Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be more independent and self-sufficient, to make new friends in a new context and to effectively network, and gained a new appreciation for the world around me. Fantastic experience overall.

Review Photos

IFSA-Butler: Dublin - University College Dublin Photo IFSA-Butler: Dublin - University College Dublin Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was given a lot of information, and the education system is structured differently from back home, therefore making the resources harder to utilize. Modules could be inconsistent in quality.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I loved the Irish representatives of IFSA-Butler! Suzi, Ashley and Darragh were all an important part of a great study abroad experience.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Accommodations were good. I wished I had been forewarned about the lack of oven and would have appreciated a way to donate our stuff after the program's end.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Sometimes it felt like it was far too easy to meet international students and not local students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Dublin is very safe!

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? maybe 40$? I kept a monthly tab not a weekly one.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make your grocery lists ahead of time, have a specific budget for trips that you plan on taking, don't be afraid to eat a lot of leftovers.

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

  • 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?
  • IFSA-Butler! They made it really fun and made sure I had a ton of cultural experiences.
  • My suite mates! They were really friendly and we went on a ton of adventures.
  • The university itself! It was so amazing to be there.
* What could be improved?
  • guide on what modules to choose and organized module help sessions
  • organized excursions
  • more interaction with home university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known about the lack of oven, and that my university required me to take 6 modules (most of my other American friends were taking 5).

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.