Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great craic Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Tasmania) - abroad from 07/16/2014 to 12/09/2014 with

Ireland Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
We don't live in tribal times anymore, restrained by what is immediately around us - instead we are all contributors on a world stage. Even listening to music at the pub I could notice a difference in what cultures choose to value, which made me get to choose for myself how to live. In Ireland anyone is welcome to join in or sing a song, and people generally respect the performance. In Australia people aren't immediately welcome to do the same unless they've first proven themselves as gifted. Irish pubs had a much friendlier atmosphere in this regard, and was felt in my ability to go the pub by myself but be assured to leave having formed new friendships. To be on exchange and be really integrated in a culture was so valuable to form what I choose to value, and to be empathetic in noticing other people's differences in opinion, only one example coming from the pub scene. The university was brilliant at putting on events, and I was surprised that people really chose to support whatever they wanted just because they wanted to - not because their friends were going and without worry as to how many people would be there.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I felt very welcomed by the attitude of the staff in the international office as well as at the 'welcome program' set up for visiting students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I did not stay in international housing, but rather found my own place.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Ireland was similar to Australia, I love the Irish culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Free health care, office right on campus.

* Safety:

I had no issues.

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

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? €60 on food and other, plus €65 per week for accommodation
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Look for other options regarding housing - mine was a lot cheaper, nicer, and just as close to the university. If I had done the university accommodation I would have paid almost double, and have had to share a BEDROOM! I'm glad I did my own thing. I also purchased a second hand bike and then sold it for almost the same price at the end - free fitness included!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* 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?
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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? Before I started in Ireland I was under the impression that even though I was under an agreement for only one semester I could stay for the full academic year in Ireland if I arranged it before the end of the first semester in Ireland. It wasn't until I got there and inquired about staying longer that I was told that it was impossible to amend the original exchange agreement. This meant I've had to move elsewhere in Europe on another exchange agreement.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'