Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

1 Chatham Row. Past Review

By (Finance and Financial Management Services., Bentley University) - abroad from 09/02/2012 to 12/22/2012 with

University College Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned how to truly live on my own. Learned how to travel efficiently and effectively. Learned how to integrate myself with people who I (for the most part) cannot relate to at all.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

2 break-ins over the course of the semester into our apartment. Was not directly affect but my close friends on other floors were.

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)

The Euro was tough on my American dollar account. Could have had been a little more frugal I suppose, but not qualms spending money on traveling.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Thousands
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan your trips early in the semester. Flights, hostels, event tickets only get more expensive. Going out to eat is always more expensive no matter what. Plan with your roommates to share meals during the week if you can't find the time to cook most meals.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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 apartment
  • The Irish!
  • Ability to travel
* What could be improved?
  • A bit more information about the school.
  • Make sure the apartment is more secure in the future.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be smarter about finances.

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.