Put a CORK In It Past Review
By Katherine Curran (University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/16/2016 to 12/24/2016 with
API (Academic Programs International): Cork - National University Of Ireland, University College Cork
I gained a sense of independence, a stronger desire to travel, and a more worldly outlook on life. It was 100% worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
With the only form of grading being final examinations, I found it very difficult to stay on top of the work throughout the semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We had an on site resident director, Simon. He was always there to answer our questions and show us around Cork and other various parts of Ireland. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in the Spires on Bandon Road in Cork. You have your own room and your own bathroom, which I thought was really nice. I had a very positive experience living at the Spires. |
| * Food: |
We had to cook for ourselves and I am definitely not a chef, so I went out to eat a lot. There are plenty of great places to eat in the city centre. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It is what you make of it. I chose to join UCC's ultimate Frisbee team to meet some of the locals. It was a great way to make fast friends and have an opportunity to travel to parts of Ireland I otherwise would not have seen. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
UCC's Health Centre was awful! I had a scheduled appointment, was left waiting for an hour and a half, and the nurse asked me to do a strep test on myself. Very unhelpful and unorganized. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt very safe in Cork and anywhere else that I traveled during my semester abroad. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I wouldn't change anything about my study abroad experience. It truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I believe I made the most of it. |
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) |
2.5 = $100/week |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I went to the bank every two weeks and took out 200 euro, which is all I would let myself spend for the following two weeks. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? |
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 had a better understanding of the Irish academic system before going abroad. Having only final exams is definitely not my academic style. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
