The best experience of my life! Past Review
By A student (Sociology, University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/19/2015 to 05/19/2015 with
AIFS: Limerick - University of Limerick
My experience abroad gave me so much more self-confidence and a greater perspective of the world around me. I became comfortable navigating foreign cities, striking up conversation with strangers, and exploring the world around me. I also discovered that there is so much more outside of the bubble I've lived in my whole life, and studying abroad gave me a new focus for my future. Whatever I do next, I know that I want to continue traveling and seeing new corners of the world while encouraging international cooperation and partnerships.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Extremely supportive staff available on a weekly basis for in-person meetings and always responsive to e-mails and other correspondence |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The accommodation was good - single rooms, a good sized living room/kitchen - but it was a little disappointing to be housed with all American students. The AIFS program description had said we would be housed with international/Irish students and my house was almost all AIFS and all American students. We all got along great but it would have been nice to be with international or Irish students! |
| * Food: |
Lots of food on campus and within walking distance of the accommodation, including a grocery store just a fifteen minute walk down the road. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The school had a large international component so without even trying I met a lot of other Americans, but I also met lots of people from other cultures and Ireland and felt I got to know not only the Irish culture, but people from all around the world! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There was a walk-in clinic right next door to the accommodation and the AIFS program director gave us all information about how to be seen there and how to go about getting refunded at our first meeting. I visited once when I came down with strep throat at the end of the year and the clinic was very easily accessible and took care of me quickly. |
| * Safety: |
There are clearly marked walking and biking paths so the roads are safe for foot and bike travel, the campus and surrounding area are well lit at night, and the Gardai (Irish police) are very visible around campus and in the city. I felt very safe the whole time I was there. |
| 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 meal allowance from AIFS was extremely helpful in budgeting; they gave us an allowance of 200 Euro a month on a Fairfx credit card to go towards food and other expenses. Limerick is one of the less expensive cities in Ireland, so it was fairly easy to budget for food and bus travel (only 2 Euro to get from campus to the city, less than 20 Euro to get anywhere in Ireland). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 Euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget before you go! It's difficult to save money without knowing how much you have to spend to begin with. I looked at my finances before I left, figured out how much I could spend while I was gone, then divided that total amount by how many weeks I would be there to come up with a weekly budget. I used a mobile app to track all of my purchases during the week and ended up staying well under my budget because I could easily see how much I was spending and how much I had left to spend each week. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Studying abroad can be challenging, but the people you meet and the friends you make along the way can help you through all the challenges and it really is the best time of your life! |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
