Can't wait to go back! Past Review
By maura h (English, Law and Justice, Rider University) - abroad from 06/21/2015 to 07/27/2014 with
ISA Study Abroad in Galway, Ireland
I learned about my own confidence and how I could succeed in a new environment on my own. I got to experience culture and places that my ancestors experienced before my time, and that was an incredible feeling. I absolutely believe it was worthwhile.
Review Photos
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. |
NUIG was a different educational experience than I'm used to. The campus was beautiful and our professors were friendly. The courses were easy to handle with our traveling and exploring time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our ISA directors had an office on campus and were always available when we needed help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our accommodation was beautiful and well furnished. My biggest complaint is that the Wifi was spotty which made doing home work/making arrangements with our group a little tough at times. |
| * Food: |
I was able to get a lot of what I'm used to at the grocery store, and the restaurants in town were pretty good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The people were very friendly and I made a lot of Irish friends. I loved meeting new people and striking up conversations with visitors and locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My roommate unfortunately needed to see a doctor, and our ISA director went with her. I'm very happy he was there for her, but she waited six hours at the hospital and still wasn't seen, and had to go home and try again the next day. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe and didn't encounter any trouble. |
| 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) |
It really depended on where we traveled, if you went out, and what you ate. Bus companies offered a student discount which was nice. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I probably spent 50 euro or less at the grocery store when I went and that would last over a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I didn't set a budget out for myself, so I wish I did that and stuck to it. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | I wish I knew a little bit more about Irish culture (particularly in young people). I also wish I knew how to pack better! |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
