Brilliant Ireland! Past Review
By benjaminweinberg (Lynn University) - abroad from 11/26/2006 to 04/02/2007 with
American College Dublin: Irish Language & Culture Program
I learned more about myself than anywhere else. Also - coming from a well-to-do background, Ireland grounded my head allot. I didn't need anything crazy while there and just generally got to enjoy the country, people and history. When I got back to my university - money, cars, clothes generally had far less interest to me. I think the experience is certainly one of growth. It changes you to live on your own in a foreign country, It makes you grow up - albiet with a strong support system. After this I proceeded to go abroad 5 more times, both back to ireland, and to other places.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My Academics at ACD were for lack of a better term, brilliant. The professors really were rock stars (Piotr you especially!) and the varied courses made me happy as I preferred to take very exacting courses in Irish History and Politics instead of Business or other studies. The amount of course work was fair - and I studied an average time roughly 1-4 hours on any given night. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Colum is brilliant. From the first minute we met at the airport way back in 2007, till the second time I went in 2009, we have become fast friends. He made me feel comfortable when I went abroad not knowing a single person, and is beyond reasonable in just about all capacities. If there is ever any issues ACD was quick to resolve them and I never could think of anything bad that occurred, except perhaps forgetting to separate my whites from my colours at the irish laundromat - but that was my mistake! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was great. My first time in Ireland - I had dorms at NCI (National College of Ireland) And aside from them being filled with cute Irish girls (hey.. i am being truthful!) The services and the dorms were a delight. Second time around I was in the best possible location in Dublin on College Street right across from trinity, across from grafton street and with a great local pub right down the stairs and at the corner! Couldn't ask for a better spot.. made me feel very at home quite quickly! Beds are all normal dorm size, so don't expect queen sized beds, otherwise all is great! |
| * Food: |
Irish food is basically heavier foods, which are great but you may wish to change up for diet and health sake :) that being said they are great comfort foods! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Right away I fit in.. it felt great. I made friends with a local student named 'Damo' and he introducted me to his family, took me out and we became great pals to this day. I honestly can't think of a friendlier culture. Just go with an open mind and have a blast! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Broke my arm first time around - went straight to the hospital, they patched me up right quick! No issues, and never got any bill from Ireland to this day (7 years later!) I suppose it's luck of the Irish. Anyhow equal health care with my home city of NYC. No real discernible difference. |
| * Safety: |
Safe as can be. Don't pick a fight, don't act stupid - same as anywhere else in the world. Girls - you are perfectly safe. Guys - so are you, just don't get hammered and start being Frat-ish! |
| 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) |
I come from a very Lucky background. That being said - I had 250 euro a week. about 325+ dollars at that time. But I also was buying tons and tons f books! Most people spent about 150 give or take. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 400 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | don't travel out of country if you want to save! europe saps your cash like no other, because it's so damn wonderful! :) That being said - learn to cook at least twice a week to save a bit! |
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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| 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? |
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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? | Bring Both warm and cold clothes! No matter the time of year, Irish weather does it's own thing! :-) Also buy clothes at home. The Euro is pretty high lately. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
