Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Step into adulthood Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 09/05/2016 to 12/16/2016 with

University of Galway: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned how to be comfortable being who I am. Changed my life.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Many options for classes, however my home school provided better professors

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Satisfied but I think it was over priced since there are more affordable places around the city.

* Food:

Quality food service with many options outside the school for lunch/dinner

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Socially- Very integrated. Personally- didn't make that many great friends with the local Irish students. More often the European exchange students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Had a clinic at the college. Was free of cost. Great stuff! Wish I was notified earlier about it.

* Safety:

One of the safest cities in the world! - Galway, Ireland

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would, however my curiosity would lead me to explore another country.

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)

Cost of consumption was a little high. However, still manageable by everyone I think.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about $300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget and commit. It's cheaper to plan for the biggest expenses before you spend money. Chances are the overall cost is lessened by these planning.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I had German while I was there. Met many Germans too, which got me a little closer to understanding another culture.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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 kindness of the locals
  • The young population of the city
  • safety of the city
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It doesn't take much to be happy in life.

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.