NYU Dublin was the best summer of my life! Past Review

By (New York University) - abroad from 07/03/2016 to 08/15/2016 with

New York University: Dublin - NYU Summer in Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about myself as a student and traveler throughout the six weeks. It was worthwhile in a way I could've hardly anticipated going into it, considering the fact that I came away from the program with a comprehensive knowledge about a culture and history I had previously known very little about. I also came away with friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

Review Photos

New York University: Dublin - NYU Summer in Dublin Photo New York University: Dublin - NYU Summer in Dublin Photo New York University: Dublin - NYU Summer in Dublin Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My time with NYU Dublin gave me the opportunity to explore both things I never knew I would be so interested in, and things I never had the time for in school. My Modern Irish Literature class was so exciting because every few classes the author of the book we had just read and discussed would join us in class! It was such an amazing opportunity to engage with the text with person who created it. I also took Creative Writing, so joining the exposure to authors with the experience of being in another country created such an amazing environment for writing.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing was unlike anything I've seen before. Private, sizable rooms attached to a spacious kitchen and living room - what more could you ask for? I guess you could also ask for the tennis courts, beautiful lawns and courtyards that Trinity has to offer as well. We adored being so centrally located within Dublin, but having a peaceful, quiet environment within the gates of Trinity to spend out time in.

* Food:

Trinity doesn't supply you with food of their own, though they do have a small coffee shop where you can grab a quick breakfast before class. Grocery shopping was a great way to save a few bucks, and there were so many locations to choose from right around the school. Then, obviously, the dining outside of campus is phenomenal and also really cool!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We were right in the center of Dublin, so we were able to engage with the incredibly friendly residents of Dublin. I can't think of a day I spent in Dublin where I DIDN'T speak to a local and have an in depth and interesting conversation. The city itself is teeming with the friendliest people on earth, who are open and interested in a chat!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

"Your worst enemy is the desire for a cool Instagram photo." In the wise words of our program director Conor Creaney, we were constantly kept alert to any physical threats to our wellbeing when on hikes along cliffsides. However, within the city, I never felt unsafe.

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

Spending my summer with NYU in Dublin was one of the better decisions I've made in my life. Traveling around Ireland is unlike any other experience I've ever had - from hiking along cliffs covered in puffins, to listening to a trad session in a pub in Miltown Malby, to exploring the city with my friends, every moment of the 6 weeks I spent there was worthwhile. The friends I made from the program are some of the best friends I've ever had, and we've remained friends long since. There's nothing quite like traipsing the countryside in beautiful but wet Irish weather to bond a group of friends! Dublin is the perfect size for a six week study abroad program because it gives you just the right amount of time to feel like you really did live there. The culture of the city is pretty much based on a lovely sense of friendliness, so I felt welcome by anyone I spoke to while I was there. There really is no place quite like Dublin, and certainly no place quite like Ireland. The program really allows you to feel like you lived in and explored both!

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)

Budgeting was tricky personally, but there are certainly ways to make sure you can save on food and activities! The nice thing about Dublin is you can avoid spending money on food by buying groceries at one of the several grocery stores nearby, and by choosing free day to day activities over museums that cost money or movies or things like that.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Traveling around Ireland on the various trips you go on as a group.
  • Feeling so immersed in the city itself, and really gaining the sense that I lived there.
  • The classes were always fun, interesting, and closely linked to the country and city you're in.
* What could be improved?
  • There was one hostel we stayed in while we were visiting Letterfrack that left a little to be desired, but I also think that was a brilliant improvisation on the part of our director when a hostel couldn't accommodate us, so if that's the only thing that could be improved, it probably will be down the line anyhow!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't bother packing more than one pair of shorts - unfortunately they may not see the light of day! Better to pack sweaters and jeans, because Ireland tends to feel like East Coast fall rainy weather most of the time!