Wonderful experience of language, cultural, and local community. Past Review
By A student (University of Prince Edward Island) - abroad from 07/12/2019 to 08/09/2019 with
University of Galway: International Summer School
Language broadening, confidence in speaking it, trying out words and phrases and in reading the language. New cultural experiences. Friendship with international fellow students. And great sightseeing and a feeling of being on holiday, even while learning in the classroom.
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. |
This was intense learning and practice and was a great opportunity to learn in classroom and in community from teacher, other presenters, fellow students and local community residents. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Excellent. The classroom programme, the evening lectures and cultural experiences and the tours were great. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Top class host family, comfort, nutrition and the opportunity to practice the language we’re all excellent. |
| * Food: |
5 star. Home-cooked, organic and locally sourced when possible. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Great opportunities for the taking: to engage with locals, the host family, the shop and bar keepers, and their customers. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Rapid response on part of host family, college administration, and medical services. College administration made all arrangements and provided transport. |
| * Safety: |
The community is a safe place to be. The only thing I found needed vigilance was on the roadway. Theses are largely without sidewalks nor shoulders, they’re narrow and two-way even often two cars cannot pass. So, as a pedestrian it was imperative to keep an eye out behind and in front for vehicles and find a place to go up a bank or side of wall to let the car pass. This is all normal practice for locals. |
| 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) |
Travel from Canada and to and from Galway and accommodation before and after the programme was expensive |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$50. Our meals were included in the programme. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
|
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Getting together on regular basis with fellow students and native speakers to converse. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Nil |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
