Experiencing Irish Culture While Studying in Dublin, Ireland Past Review
By Whitney R (BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES., Wellesley College) for
Trinity College - Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My study abroad experience was most definitely worthwhile! Studying in another country, particularly Ireland has helped to change my perspective in life and what is really important. At my home college, Wellesley, I feel like I am primarily a student but while studying in Dublin I was just a person who also studies at Trinity. I was able to live my life more freely while still being stimulated intellectually.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload at Trinity College Dublin was profoundly different from my workload at Wellesley College. At Wellesley, I am used to many assignments throughout the semester followed by a final exam that is reasonably weighted with these other elements. At Trinity, I found that there are very few assignments throughout the semester (besides a small physics lab report due every week) followed by a final exam that could be worth as much as 75% of your grade. The grading system is also completely different which could work to balance out the difference in workload. Assignments were graded very hard, but the average grade expected was also lower so it evened out. Overall, the academics were definitely what you made of them as opposed to my home college where work is consistently assigned. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I was directly enrolled, but I can comment on the Trinity College Administration. They were pretty easy to get in touch with, despite some inconvenient hours and having to walk all the way to the office a lot. Otherwise, they were helpful whenever I had inquiries. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in an on campus apartment with another American girl and two Irish boys. It was very nice to have local students living with me to incorporate cultural aspects at all times of the day and to have them available for questions. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I took part in a international student trip to Cork which was very fun. I also attended Trinity Ball (the largest private party in Europe with almost 20 concerts going on). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The city of Dublin is overall pretty safe but you obviously have to be smart about where you are walking and what time of day it is because it is, after all, a large city. There were certain roads that you would not want to be walking down alone and late at night. I sought healthcare through the Trinity College health center and found them very accessible. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I would say I spent about $200-$300 on food and personal expenses every week. Dublin is a very expensive city and the Euro conversion rate does not help. I would recommend just setting a reasonable budget and trying your best to abide by it. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I really enjoyed traveling cheaply, meaning taking the bus and staying in hostels. Hostels, when staying the right ones with good ratings on the internet, are a great way to meet new and interesting people. I would say don't skimp on trips but definitely plan out the ones you really want to go on. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would recommend this program to those who are not afraid to make MANY new friends and to those that are motivated enough to take their education into their own hands. You are going to love Ireland! |
