A brief history of Ireland in four exciting weeks. Past Review
By A student (Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services., Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 07/01/2012 to 07/28/2012 with
API (Academic Programs International): Cork - National University Of Ireland, University College Cork
That I can go half way around the world and survive and fit into another culture. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I would do it again. If only the program was longer it felt like I was just getting there and it was over
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
For a summer course of only four weeks the papers were a little excessive give than none of us knew any Irish history. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The API affiliate, Deborah, was awesome. She had great things for us to do as cultural activities and was a great help when one of us got sick! The UCC affiliate was not so helpful and seemed to care more about her own issues that the students. Deb ended up helping us more in the situation that came up than the UCC lady. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The rooms were ok had what we needed. |
| * Food: |
The food in Ireland is amazing. Some can be pricy. We tended to cook our on food to cut the price. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
After about a week I knew where inward going what bus to take where and my way around. If you got lost the locals were all more than happy to help you find your way |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Deb (api affiliate) assisted me when I had to go to the doctor. She told me where to go and who to talk to. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in cork. There were never times when I didn't. Even at night it felt safe. |
| 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) |
|
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40-50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook your own food if possible. If you can make group dinners the food goes father for the cost |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Irish is not spoken very much few people use it as a first language so it's hard to use out side the class except for common sayings |
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? |
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? | I would be doing a lot of papers going off little teaching |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
