TRULY A LAND OF 1000 WELCOMES Past Review
By Bethany T (Nursing., Saginaw Valley State University) - abroad from 05/19/2013 to 06/20/2013 with
Academic Studies Abroad: Study Abroad in Dublin, Ireland
New experiences, crazy stores, great memories: Ireland 2013.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The professors were AMAZING. They truly cared about offering us a genuine Irish experience I couldn't believe I learned so much in just a few weeks. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt safe and the apartments were SO close the city center! Definitely exceeded my expectations. |
| * Food: |
n/a |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There is a reason why Ireland is known as the Land of a Thousand Welcomes- everyone was SO hospitable! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
n/a I did not have any health concerns, but if I did- I noticed some easily accessible methods of treatment. |
| * Safety: |
We had a personal code to get in the school grounds, a key to get in our building, AND a key to get in our rooms. How could I not feel safe? |
| 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) |
It was a little hard to get adjusted to the Euro, but we managed well. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I lot more than I expected to. BUT SO WORTH IT. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just save up before you go. It's expensive to study abroad and you know it's so expensive so save up to reduce the "well, I should buy this instead of this" or "I wish I had more money to do this." Aim for no regrets when you go abroad! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We spoke Gaelic as much as we could! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Get out there and use it! The locals are a great way to practice for your oral exams. :) |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I needed to pack another memory card for my camera! |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
