AIFS Limerick, Ireland: The Best Program!!!! Past Review
By Catherine W (University of Colorado - Colorado Springs) - abroad from 01/19/2013 to 05/30/2014 with
AIFS: Limerick - University of Limerick
I honestly cannot even express how valuable, life-changing, growing, adventurous, and exciting my experience at the University of Limerick was! It has given me a love for traveling, a deeper appreciation for people and cultures around the world, an adventuring spirit, and a confidence in myself I had never had before. I
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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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Elaine was wonderful! She was helpful, resourceful, and provided fun excursions throughout Ireland. She truly helped to make my experience even that much more amazing. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in Plassey Village gave me a true Irish experience. I lived with several Irish students, and though the accommodations may have been a little dated, the ability to live with other students was invaluable. I had so much time with my housemates, and the location was perfect. I wouldn't have traded being there for anything. |
| * Food: |
I loved that the program gave us money each month to buy our own groceries instead of having us eat on campus. It gave me the freedom to get the food I like, try some Irish food, and budget the money how I needed it. There were many weekends and days I was off traveling, so it would have been a waste to just have a voucher for a meal a day. Giving us the money to budget as we needed also gave me the freedom to spend the money as I traveled throughout Europe. It gave me an international card that could be used in other countries; in fact, this came in handy many times! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living on campus was an excellent experience! I loved living with Irish students, and being around international students from all around the world who also lived in Plassey Village. Furthermore, UL has one of the top international programs in the world, and it is for good reason! They have so many programs for students to get involved in, that it was easy to connect with other international students and with Irish students. I made friends from around the world, and it was largely because of the clubs and events I attended that were put on by the University. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There was never a moment I felt unsafe living at UL. Even walking across campus, alone, and late at night, I knew I was 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) |
The amount of money we spent was completely dependent on how much we were willing to spend. With the supplemental money coming in each month for food from AIFS, I was able to closely stick to my budget. I really only had to worry about personal necessities, such as toothpaste and shampoo, etc., and traveling expenses. Most of my money went to traveling, but that was what I had planned to spend my money on beforehand. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Even though it is a pain to pack extra things, if you bring as much as possible, it is less you have to buy while you are there. Also, it gives you extra room in your suitcase coming home for all the souvenirs you will likely pick up throughout your time abroad! Just know that traveling can get a little pricey, so make a budget, and plan trips ahead. We saved a lot of money because we bought cheap flights or hostel stays! Those can fill up quickly, so last minute accommodations are often more expensive. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | A better packing list than what is posted on the AIFS website |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
