Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Fun and Enlightening Experience (with minor problems) Past Review

By (University of New Mexico) - abroad from 07/01/2016 to 07/15/2016 with

Ireland Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The day-to-day life of the Irish. The social problems that Ireland faces, and Irish history

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.

A very intriguing and enlightening trip to a small country that has had a big impact. Working with community members really helped me learn about Irish culture and society, and how the daily lives of these people were lead. We saw many interesting historical cites in concurrence with our service work, which helped contextualize the situations we found ourselves in. My main complaint is that the trip felt a little disorganized and rushed. But otherwise very good.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very good leaders.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Plain but workable, sometimes had to live with a cold shower which was fine.

* Food:

Eating out was great, but the accommodations only had cereal for breakfast.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Learned a lot and made friends along the way. Really got an understanding of daily Irish life and the problems that face modern day Ireland.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no issues.

* Safety:

Despite a few encounters with belligerents everything felt secure.

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

This was an exploratory trip and I could imagine improvements made to make the trip much better. I still learned a lot along the way.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Working hands on with the community.
  • Historical locations.
  • Meeting new people.
* What could be improved?
  • Class structure.
  • More focus on specific events and locations.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? What kind of clothes to pack, ruined a good pair of pants.

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.'