Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Galway: An Origin Story Past Review

By (Business Administration, DePaul University) - abroad from 08/25/2013 to 12/18/2013 with

IFSA: Galway - National University Ireland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
LOOK NO FURTHER. THIS IS THE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM YOU WANT I'M NOT KIDDING OK!!!!!! IT'S THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME. I MET SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM AND GALWAY IS THE GREATEST PLACE I'VE EVER BEEN. IF A CITY COULD SPEAK, GALWAY WOULD SAY, "LOOK NO FURTHER, YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT HERE AND THE PEOPLE ARE GREAT AND EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL AND NOTHING ELSE MATTERS". The people of Galway and specifically the students at NUIG know how to have a good time, but I don't even know where to start when it comes to IFSA Butler Ireland. The program advisers, the location, the weekend trips... I remember when I was looking at study abroad programs. I went to DePaul University in Chicago, and when it came to studying abroad, the only thing I knew was that I wanted to go to Ireland. I sifted through so many programs before I decided on IFSA Butler Ireland at the National University of Ireland, Galway. IFSA had everything I was looking for: campus housing rather than a home-stay, an orientation to help students get comfortable in a new city, and a very committed on-site program staff to help with any kind of concern or question. I met some of my best friends through this program which sounds so dumb, and you might not have the same experience with the people in your program, but I have never felt so at home with people I had just met as I did when I was in Galway. I owe every single moment of joy that I felt on my study abroad trip to IFSA Butler. I AM A BETTER PERSON BECAUSE I WENT TO GALWAY AND BECAUSE I WENT THROUGH IFSA BUTLER TO DO IT. 10/10 STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM. WOULD RECOMMEND TO ANYONE WHO'S LOOKING FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE, FUN, EXCITING, FLIRTY, COOL, AND ALL AROUND LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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

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)

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
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The place
  • The preparation
* What could be improved?
  • nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had taken more pictures.

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.