It was an amazing experience that I will never forget! Past Review

By (Simmons College) - abroad from 06/13/2016 to 06/24/2016 with

Simmons University: Nursing, University College Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was very worthwhile! I have learned about health systems in different countries of Europe as well as in the US. In College back home we dont really speak much about the health systems and learning how in Europe the health system works in different countries was very interesting to learn about.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everybody was very nice, and always there to help!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was wonderful, we had no problems! It was nice to meet new people living in the apartments around you!

* Food:

The food on campus was pretty good, but it would've been nice if they had a cafeteria.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt at home, everybody was very welcoming!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Learning about the healthcare systems around Europe and comparing it to the US was very mind-blowing, and it really opened up my eyes.

* Safety:

Overall with my stay on campus I felt very safe! Around the city I did as well!

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

I would definitely choose the same program over again because it was very interesting, and we were able to learn through different professors from all around Europe.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? On food and transportation everyday I probably spent a little over $100 per week with buying groceries, meals three times a day and for getting places in Dublin.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? There is no cafeteria or meal plan at UCD so going to the Centra supermarket on campus is definitely a go to. Buying groceries for breakfast helped with the cost of food everyday, as well as making meals instead of eating out at restaurants. Also, to get a leap card would be helpful for keeping track of how much money you spend on the buses back in forth into the city.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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 people
  • The professors
  • The campus
* What could be improved?
  • Having more clear instructions for the class
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much money we would spend every week and about the different opportunities to experience in Ireland. I wish we had made plans as a group before going to Ireland, and knowing a little more information about what we could or could not do and what to bring!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Health: A Systems Perspective

Course Department: Nursing
Instructor: Dr. Hasheem Mannan
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was a very interesting class, and learning about different health systems really opened up my eyes on how I view the world now. The teacher was very nice, considerate and was very intelligent! I am happy with how the class went overall! The workload was not too overwhelming, it was just the right amount!
Credit Transfer Issues: