Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Friends, travels, socializing Past Review

By (Broadcast Journalism., Manhattan College) - abroad from 01/12/2009 to 05/15/2009 with

American College Dublin: Irish Language & Culture Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned about other cultures, traveling through Europe, and Irish history. It was worthwhile

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.

The professors were very knowledgeable and challenged students based on their individual strengths and weaknesses and not just grouped together as an entire class.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone there was friendly and helpful. Anytime I had a question I knew there was someone who would take the time to personally help me.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

They put us in a 3 story apartment with the 15 other Americans studying abroad that semester at ACD, and it was great. The rooms could have been a bit bigger but living with everyone was fantastic.

* Food:

Not much of a cafe, but it was edible, which is more than I can say for some colleges stateside!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The college set up some activities throughout the city and country for us, and each one was great. We went all across the city, from Temple Bar and Guinness Factory in Dublin to the Blarney Stone and tours of Cork. And some of our Irish classmates were willing to show us around and take us out drinking on more than one occasion (and we were more than happy to repay them by teaching them American drinking games)

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Considering one girl got stitches in her head and another got the chicken pox, and everyone's still alive and well, I'd say very good!

* 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)

I don't remember what I spent, but most of my money went to plane tickets for trips around Europe and/or drinking, which was expensive. It'd be helpful to have a few grand or be willing to pick up a parttime job if you plan on doing a lot and don't have savings.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Enough to have a great time
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use public transportation, try to find student discounts...all the same stuff you do in American colleges to save money (drink cheap beer, eat pasta, etc). Ryanair has ridiculously cheap flights throughout Europe, if you can afford not to bring anything more than a carryon.

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
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the city
  • the nightlife
  • the students i met
* What could be improved?
  • food
  • monetary stipend
  • dorm (i think it was improved since 2009 though)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? how to cook food

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 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.