A TIME ABROAD TO REMEMBER Past Review

By (University of Hartford) - abroad from 09/01/2017 to 12/23/2017 with

API (Academic Programs International): Dublin - University College Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
How to live by myself, and be independent

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The resources at UCD are vast, but since it is a public school the class sizes are large. It ranges from 100-200 people in just one class sitting. The course load is similar to schools in the states. It will be a lot of READING.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They planned activities to immerse you in the Irish culture by allowing all study abroad students to go on trips for a reasonable price.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing at UCD is beyond lavish. I felt like compared to my home institution best available housing on campus, UCD was above it. UCD has the best housing compared to any other school in Ireland, hands down.

* Food:

Vast options because for them unless you have a meal plan on campus each housing has a kitchen and you have to cook. There are restaurants on campus that are pretty good, but you don't want to spend your money there every day. Most people who live on campus usually cook their own food or order out.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I can say with the Pubs, the School Clubs, and just the peoples makes it easy to be immersed in the culture. UCD has so many social clubs you can be apart of and get to meet other Irish students. I was involved and that made a difference. Get involved on campus and time will go by faster than you know it.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I bought all of my medicine at a local health store when I was sick, and I asked my local Irish friends for popular medication because the prices of seeking help was a bit expensive. I chose home remedies because I didn't feel like my health was worth an ER Visi.t

* Safety:

I felt safe in Ireland, while abroad you always stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night. But the Security on campus was always patrolling and they even close.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The trips we went on, the people I met, taught me what it would be like in the real world and alone. I had to provide for myself and budget.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? BUDGET, AND PLAN AHEAD! I went over my personal budget every month!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? n/a
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • FOOD
  • TRIPS
  • PEOPLE
* What could be improved?
  • Organization
  • More trips throughout the program
  • An event for Abroad students to meet Irish students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Overall just what to expect

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 Linguist
You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Introduction to Folklore

Course Department: Folkore
Instructor: Dr. Bairbre NĂ­ Fhloinn
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was an introductory level so it was relatively straightforward you had terminology that you have to learn and some historical factual information of Irish traditions. Since they divide their lectures and small group seminars up, I felt like the class was similar to my home tuition. I participated more in the smaller class settings. For this course, I was assigned 2 papers, 1 exam and A LOT of READING!
Credit Transfer Issues: