It was a great academic and confidence building on all levels. Past Review
By Jane Healy (Anonymous University) - abroad from 06/29/2017 to 07/22/2017 with
University of Galway: International Summer School
I learned that Americans really do not know the mindset of a country and reading about it only takes you so far.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very pleased with a locked room, en suite, and clean laundy several times a week |
| * Food: |
The school did not have any dinner facilities so we had to go to Galway City for an evening meal every day or cook. The shuttle bus did help. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
very please with the country's hospitality and helpfulness. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have a problem with health care there. |
| * Safety: |
The host city provided cab, bus and shuttle bus services. The lighting and streets were paved. |
| 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) |
I ran into a problem with my debit card not working to get withdrawals and complained to my bank. That was the biggest problem for me. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around 50 euros with grocery shopping and university cafe meals. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Overall, try to go grocery shopping early and spend one meal cooking in the evening. It really cut down expenses. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Probably some kind of immerson like a skit or audio of a play but I think hearing the language could help. |
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 just wish I knew how important to pace the schedule as we were in a classroom for many hours each day with the exception of day trips which were great. |
