Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Study Abroad in UCD Irelaand Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/23/2017 to 05/18/2017 with

University College Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I really enjoyed living in a different country and learning about the cultural differences. It was definitely worthwhile!

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.

Professors were not very engaging, and oftentimes just read verbatim off the class lecture slides. Most did not have any office hours available to attend, and the class grades were usually based on one final exam, making it difficult to measure your comprehension throughout the semester.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

In a nice, 6-bedroom on campus apartment with shared living room and kitchen, but individual bedrooms and bathrooms.

* Food:

On campus food options were limited, as students were expected to cook for themselves.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Most of the other study abroad students were also American, and the study abroad office usually arranged events and trips only with the study abroad group. It was nice to live with Irish students in my apartment, but most of the classes are lecture based so the only times you meet local students and get to know them is by joining student orgs.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

No safety issues, felt very safe on campus.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would likely go to Trinity instead, even though they have fewer class options in my major department (neuroscience), I think it would have been a better educational experience.

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

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Living in Dublin
  • Nice dorms
* What could be improved?
  • Professor involvement/interest in engaging students
  • Level of academic rigor
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Plan more trips to other places in advance, as classes meet very seldomly compared to Wellesley.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.