To be cursed with the Wanderlust: an amazing experience abroad in Dublin Past Review
By Melissa C (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Mount St. Mary's University) - abroad from 09/15/2011 to 12/14/2011 with
American College Dublin: Irish Language & Culture Program
Studying abroad gives you the chance to learn more about yourself while absorbing a culture. Dublin is alive with history, literature, and friendliness: my experience there has profoundly changed me for the better.
Review Photos
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. |
Located at the Oscar Wilde house near Merrion Square, ACD offers students the chance to experience the city of Dublin while learning about Irish culture and mentality. For the Fall semester, the school offered us the opportunity to travel as a class to Cork, Blarney Castle, etc., attend Literary and Musical pub crawls, and we were provided with a newsletter of weekly cultural events in the city. The interaction with students from around the world, with the Irish people, and the chance to travel easily into mainland Europe make this program ideal. While academically the school does not require rigorous study in the classroom, this is because it supports a strong sense of taking the initiative to discover a new culture through experience and openness. My own experience definitely contributed to my personal growth while providing me a unique opportunity abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Built a strong relationship with the Director of Student Services and with the Librarian as an intern in the library. We were exposed to a number of different experts during our Irish Cultural Studies course. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
While ACD does not provide housing for students on a campus, our University was provided with a very nice apartment in a prime location: one block away from the bustling Grafton Street. We were virtually in the center oft he city. |
| * Food: |
Great food! Dublin offers a wide range of food, from the traditional Irish stews at O'Neill's to the bar food at Woolshed Baa and Grille to the kebab joints around the city. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Irish culture is very welcoming to Americans. While all of my classes at the college were American students, I found it easy to get to know the locals through friendly conversation. In my experience, you get as much out as you put in. Take advantage of all opportunities! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health care in Ireland is very open and easy to receive when required. I found no problem with anytime I needed a visit to a doctor. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe city. If you're smart then you have nothing to worry about, your head is the only tool you need in Dublin. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Roughly $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Book trips abroad early and through Ryanair. |
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? | Exchange |
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? | Something that I learned while studying abroad: take advantage of every opportunity that is offered to you. Immerse yourself in as many things as possible and make sure you have a diverse array of experience. |
