An amazing, life-changing experience! Past Review
By Torian L (Berea College) - abroad from 01/09/2017 to 05/12/2017 with
University of Galway: Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned more about myself and how the world is viewed differently from other countries perspectives. I gained more knowledge about how the European countries work. This was a great experience and I met wonderful people.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Resources were available and often provided. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sometimes hard to find the correct person to contact. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The food was affordable and the restaurants are friendly with good food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Easily accessible, and the doctors were very helpful. |
| * Safety: |
Galway felt safe and the policemen were often around if needed. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I loved Galway, but I would chose another program so that I could meet new people and live in a different place. Also so I could be emerged into a different culture. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 500 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start saving early if you plan to study abroad! Some countries are a little more expensive, so be prepared for it if you plan to travel. |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Spanish II |
| 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? | Since English is there main language, Irish Gaelic isn't used often but in some parts of Ireland more so than others. So just be aware of the language. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | The class sizes- how some classes are way bigger than others. Access to books and learning material. |
