Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Experience of My life Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Mary Baldwin University) - abroad from 01/18/2014 to 05/10/2014 with

American College Dublin: Irish Language & Culture Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Living abroad taught me that I could be independent. Going by your self to another country is really a sink or swim type thing. You either have to learn to make friends, and get places on your own, or you will be alone in your room miserable. Luckily this experience changed me a lot and I grew into a new person in Ireland. I made some of the best friends, had an amazing support system, and got to see some of the most awesome sites. I never got home sick because I was too busy having fun. I would go back in a second given the chance.

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.

I took classes through the performing arts and I learned a lot, Though there was homework such as learning lines and creating dance pieces I still had time to enjoy Ireland as much as possible and spend time with housemates

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* 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)

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

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Other
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Meeting new people from all over the United States and Europe
  • feeling a sense of community within the school
  • home cooked meals
* What could be improved?
  • I can't think of anything
  • the things I thought were annoying
  • were learning experiences
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known a little more about what I was getting myself into, another swimming metaphor, I felt like a little fish being thrown into a lake with only one fin to get by on. I suppose I could have looked up more about the program but I just didn't know where I was living.

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.