Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Experience of My Life Past Review

By (Journalism., Bowling Green State University) - abroad from 01/24/2014 to 05/24/2014 with

Ireland Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile because I was given the opportunity to immerse myself in a beautiful culture and meet amazing people.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes and assignments were not as hard as I expected them to be, they were a bit easier than at my university in the US. However this was a great thing because it allows you more time to travel and immerse yourself in the culture, and I still learned a lot from classes culturally and academically.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There was not an actual representative on-site but we had a local mentor that took care of any needs/problems we had and made us feel comfortable. Athena also communicated with me throughout the experience.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Apartment style dorms. Fairly large shared bedroom with one other person and kitchen shared between 4 people.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The locals and atmosphere of Dublin made me feel very at home immediately.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The healthcare was easily accessible and medicine is much cheaper in Ireland than the United States, however if you had to go to the emergency room you'd better be prepared to wait 12+ hours. The program was helpful though by making sure all students knew important phone numbers for doctors, clinics, etc.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe in Dublin.

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)

It is very easy to live on a students budget if you don't go overboard with eating out and drinking.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around 50 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep track of your money weekly, don't plan too many trips thinking you can afford it when you aren't really sure.

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
  • 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?
  • The local culture and people I studied with.
* What could be improved?
  • Griffith College could be a little more organized.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the school was mostly international students and what classes were going to be like.

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.