I fell in love with a country, a city, a people, and the poetry of place. Past Review
By A student (English, Berea College) - abroad from 06/25/2014 to 07/22/2014 with
University of Galway: Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I discovered what it was like to have relationship with a city. Galway is big enough to be interesting and alive and small enough to be friendly and intimate. I learned so much about myself, my ability to take care of myself with very little support. I learned about a culture and place that I thought I already knew something about. I did know something, but there was so much I had no idea of. And I learned academic elements about poetry and Irish literature that are still affecting my work as a writer.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses were rigorous to the degree that the student invested in them, but not so busy that it detracted from experiencing Galway. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I went independently and I was well taken care of. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with a family friend. |
| * Food: |
We were responsible for our own meal arrangements, and Galway had some wonderful places to eat! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't feel very integrated. The courses were composed of american students and I didn't realize that would be the case. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no problems. |
| * Safety: |
I was a woman walking alone most of the time, but I always felt safe in Galway. Granted, I didn't go out much alone at night, but its a friendly city and I found it very easy to ask for directions from strangers whenever I needed to. Nobody feels like a stranger in Galway... |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
I have dietary restrictions that made it necessary to eat more expensively. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent probably close to a 150$ a week on food and bus/taxi costs |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you plan to move around the city extensively, a month long student bus pass might be worth the money. |
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 |
There was encouragement, but it was ok not to participate |
| 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? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None! I had never had Irish offered before. |
| 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? | I didn't participate much because the basics felt too rushed to me and I had no basis, Irish being from a completely different family than romance languages. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 could have packed less clothing, but a warm raincoat, leggings, good walking shoes, and a pretty scarf were all perfect choices. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
