Once in a Lifetime Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was able to complete my minor in Psychology at Maynooth while also completing a certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage. Classes in Ireland were very different than classes in the US. Most of my classes had no homework, and no essays. They either had a Midterm and Final or just a midterm which determined your whole grade. This is something I loved because it allowed for more freedom on the weekends, but it did make the end of the semester a bit more stressful as I am used to creating a final project instead of test. I still really enjoyed this way of learning and felt it allowed me to truly make the most of my experience.

On-site administration of your program

We worked with Sophie and Alice who were hired by API. They helped with everything from housing, to airport pick up, to issues with school/classes/any stressors that come with being abroad.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived with 5 other girls. We all had our own rooms and bathrooms, then shared a common space with full kitchen. Made lifelong friendship with these girls. Two have already come to visit and we are planning a big group trip together this summer.

On excursion trips with API food is included and delicious! But other than that you either cook for yourself or go out to eat (which can get expensive). There is no meal plan at Maynooth.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My program with API was perfect from start to end. They helped me with planning, finding my flight, and picked me up at the airport. My site has a site director, Sophie, who helped us settle in then gave us a 2 day orientation of Maynooth and Dublin. Which was followed by another 2 day orientation presented my Maynooth faculty. After that my adventure truly began.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any health issues while abroad.

I never felt unsafe in Ireland. While traveling elsewhere I didn't always feel 100% comfortable. But I could always call my Site Supervisor if I needed help no matter where I was which was great. Nothing bad ever happened to me but my friends Passport was stolen in Barcelona. Even then official were able to get her a replacement quickly and the trip was still a blast.

Travel has always been a passion of mine. In my 21 years I've traveled to 17 different countries, having experienced a multitude of different cultures, food, and people, but my experiences in Ireland stand of as my favorites. While abroad I saw 13 countries, and 30 different cities. My program with API was perfect from start to end. They helped me with planning, finding my flight, and picked me up at the airport. My site has a site director, Sophie, who helped us settle in then gave us a 2 day orientation of Maynooth and Dublin. Which was followed by another 2 day orientation presented my Maynooth faculty. After that my adventure truly began. Maynooth University sits about 40 min away from Dublin via train/bus, and encompasses around 12,000 students in a town of 12,000 citizens. It is a small town by a historical one with a large Church and small Castle on it's grounds. It has a beautiful garden behind it's historical buildings on the old campus, and modern architecture on the new. You can walk anywhere you need to go in town, the downtown shops will have whatever you are looking for. I was able to complete my minor in Psychology at Maynooth while also completing a certificate in Irish Cultural Heritage. Classes in Ireland were very different than classes in the US. Most of my classes had no homework, and no essays. They either had a Midterm and Final or just a midterm which determined your whole grade. This is something I loved because it allowed for more freedom on the weekends, but it did make the end of the semester a bit more stressful as I am used to creating a final project instead of test. I still really enjoyed this way of learning and felt it allowed me to truly make the most of my experience. Maynooth offers a variety of clubs and organisations. I was apart of the Volleyball Club (which place 2nd in the country), Disney Club (which took a trip to Disney Paris), and the Surf Club (which took a trip to Lahinch on Irelands West Coast near the Cliffs of Moher). These were incredible opportunities to be apart of. Very few people can say they went surfing in Ireland, or place 2nd in the country for collegiate club volleyball. This also allowed me to meet so many people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Now I have friends from Romania, France, England, Belgium, Spain, Canada, and Ireland. Not to mention friends I made from the US all across the country in NC, WI, MO, CO, MD... My program itself was one of a kind. I was apart of API Dublin although my school was in Maynooth. API Dublin included groups from University College Dublin, Trinity College, and Maynooth University. This was a great experience because it allowed me to meet other students at other schools and broaden my horizons even further. Through API we went on cultural excursions through our host country as well as internationally. I went on a trip to the Ring of Kerry, went sighting at Queen Maeve's grave, Galway, the Wild Atlantic Way, and Surfing in Bundoran. We also did smaller excursions closer to home like the Leprechaun museum, Paddle Boarding, and Community Service. And we went on an international excursion to Edinburgh, Scotland. There we saw Edinburgh Castle, part of the catacombs of the original city, and Greyfriars Kirkyard (Statue of Greyfriars Bobby). I could talk about my Abroad experiences for hours on end and really haven't stopped talking about it since I returned to my home institution. Ireland was home to some of the nicest people I have ever met. Helpful locals happy to show you around to be honest about the best spots in town and hidden gems many tourist miss out on. If you are looking for a school where you can be involved, if you are looking for a friendly helpful community, if you are looking for the best abroad experience around, look no further. API Maynooth is the trip for you.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It depends on what you are eating and if you want to do a lot of traveling. Traveling throughout Europe isn't expensive but certainly adds up.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I took Irish while abroad which was an amazing experience but not many people actually speak Irish. Culturally our program taught us basic Irish and Irish slang so we could understand better when our Irish peers referred to certain things. For example "What's the craic?" Pronounced what's the crack. Is not referencing a drug but another way the ask "what's up" or "Where is the Fun?".

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• Dorm

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• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The people in ireland
• My schools clubs/orgs
• The amazing excursions

• Post departure preparedness
• Study help
• Food Plan

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