Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Bhí mé an t-am de mo shaol. (Irish for "I had the time of my life.") Past Review

By (White County High School) - abroad from 09/15/2013 to 12/22/2013 with

KEI Abroad in Dublin, Ireland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained many things from my experience in Ireland. While I can't fully discuss them all in a short review, the most important thing my semester at Griffith provided me with is self-confidence. It's amazing how learning to live in a foreign country with people you've never met can provide you with a confidence that nothing else can. I came back to my home university with a deeper knowledge of international affairs, and that information is very valuable in my college of business.

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.

Griffith provided an academic challenge for me everyday: partly due to my lack of experience with the European-style classes and partly due to the material we were expected to learn. The professors were stern yet more than willing to provide extra help if needed. Griffith College provided the perfect balance between work and play, and that was extremely important as a study abroad student.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

KEI (Knowledge Exchange Institute) provided an on-site director, Olwyn Mannix, to help me and the other KEI students adapt to not only Griffith but Dublin as well. We came to know her as "Mama O", so needless to say, we grew very close and still keep in contact today. She was a blessing, and should KEI not have provided me with that connection, I would have had a much harder time acclimating myself with my new life in Dublin.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing at Griffith is wonderful. I shared a room with another American girl, and we grew to be very close friends. We shared our suite with a German and a French girl, and we got along very well. Griffith provides you with almost everything you need apart from toiletries and food. It was a safe, clean living environment.

* Food:

Griffith has a small restaurant/dining hall on its campus called Arthur's Bar. While I didn't eat there very much, it was a nice place to hang out and meet other students at the college.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

During my time at Griffith and in Dublin, KEI made it impossible NOT to feel very much a part of my surroundings. There were multiple excursions included in the program, and I got to see more of Ireland than I ever imagined I would. These trips were a way to see the gorgeous country I chose to spend four months in as well as meet native Irish men and women.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no issues with health care during my stay.

* Safety:

Overall, I felt very safe in Dublin. But like every big city in America, I had to be cautious when the time called for it.

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? My expenses really depended on what I had planned for that specific week. For example, I spent more on the weekends when we traveled to different countries than I would have spent in Dublin. Overall, I spent approximately $3,000 on food, personal items, and travel during my semester.

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?
  • The people I met
  • Ireland as a country
  • The challenging academic schedule
* What could be improved?
  • A better way to prepare American students for the European education system
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I knew the currency exchange rate before I went, but I don't think I fully understood what it meant. I wish I would have been more knowledgeable on exactly how much everything was going to cost.

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.