The Most Incredible Experience of my Life! Past Review
By Emily G (Mathematics, Accounting, Mount St. Mary's University) - abroad from 09/16/2011 to 12/14/2011 with
American College Dublin: Irish Language & Culture Program
My study abroad experience in Dublin, Ireland was truly once in a lifetime. Not only was I able to travel to every corner of Ireland, but I was also blessed to visit 6 other European countries during my 3 months abroad. Experiencing a variety of cultures, conversing with people of all types of nationalities, and exploring the world on my own has permanently changed me for the better. There isn't one single moment I regret spending in Ireland, and I strongly encourage every student to take advantage of this amazing experience!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
During the semester I was abroad, I wanted to take Auditing (for my major), but there was not enough overall interest to have that be an actual class. However, the school worked diligently to find a professor who I could do an independent study with so I could still receive the credit needed. I was so grateful! |
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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? |
Our location was amazing...right next to Grafton Street! It was also in a very safe part of the city, so I never felt uncomfortable walking to and from my apartment by myself. Unfortunately, our fridge was really small (especially for 5 girls) and the dryer wasn't the best, but with all the traveling we did and how often we were gone from the apartment, these small problems were easily overlooked. |
| * Food: |
My apartment was about a 2 minute walk from the nearest grocery store. There was also another one that was about a 7-10 minute walk from our housing. And when I didn't feel like cooking, there was a plethora of restaurants scattered around the city that I could choose from (many of them were affordable for a college student!) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Let's put it this way....but the end of my 3 months, I began to think of myself as more Irish than American. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
During the day, I could walk all around the south side of Dublin and feel perfectly safe. At night, though, it's always best to have someone with you (but really, that's any city you go to) |
| 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's pretty easy over there to live off of a student's budget. You just have to be mindful of what you buy! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $120 (with the exchange rate) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | For girls, be careful with the shopping! Typically, I am not one to go shopping "just for the fun of it", but it is really easy to get caught up with the fashion. Also, buy the cheapest brands when at the grocery store. They get the job done just fine, and all of the money you save can be used from when you go out to the pubs. |
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
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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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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 wish I made every day count when I was in Dublin. Because I was there for 3 months, I got into the habit of just going to class and my apartment during the week. Looking back, I should have been roaming the city every day! |
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.' |
