USAC Galway: The Experience of a Lifetime Past Review

By (Goucher College) - abroad from 06/23/2013 to 08/03/2013 with

USAC Ireland: Galway - Irish Literature, History, and Music

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Study abroad lets you learn so much in terms of international culture, topics, and ways of life. The history of the many locations is also worthwhile. The amount of things I learned on this trip cannot be put into words. If I tried, I could probably write a novel.

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

Very Helpful

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Some issues with connecting to internet, one house's internet would never work in the morning. Also, they change sheets/towels everyday.

* Food:

A lot of walking to get food and groceries. If you plan on shopping a decent amount, bring your own bags, they have no plastic bags.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Administration
  • People met
  • Opportunities
* What could be improved?
  • Living Quarters
  • More knowledge of money needed
  • Time to eat/grab a drink during trips.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the people that I would be studying with would be some of the best people I have ever met and that we would always try to stay in contact with one another.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.