The Most Amazing Adventure of My Life! Past Review
By Kelsey B (Business Marketing, Mount St. Mary's University) - abroad from 09/16/2011 to 12/15/2011 with
American College Dublin: Irish Language & Culture Program
My time abroad was the best of my college experience and of my life! It was the most rewarding thing I could have ever done! It opened my eyes to the world and and whole different way of life!
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. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was wonderful! Colum was extremely helpful in every aspect of the Study Abroad experience, including even the little things! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment was beautiful and very comfortable for everyone who lived there. The loft was a great since it gave us space to spread out! |
| * Food: |
The food was extremely fresh! It was much better to go food shopping two or three times a week as opposed to once in order for your food to stay nice and fresh! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We tended to stick together as a group, and it would have been better to have more interaction with the locals. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Never once did I feel unsafe during my time in Dublin. |
| 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) |
It's important to budget money and keep the exchange rate in mind. Also, it makes sense to budget money for travel since that can be a lot more expensive than food/drink in Dublin. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Roughly $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep the exchange rate in mind and save money where you can. It'll be better in the long run for things like trips through Europe or all around Ireland. |
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 |
|
|
* 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? | 0 |
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? | Don't over pack! It was overwhelming thinking of all the things that you'll need, but in reality the less you pack the better! |
