Eye Opening Past Review
By A student (University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/31/2019 to 12/20/2019 with
API (Academic Programs International): Dublin - University College Dublin
I learned a lot about myself and it afforded me an outside perspective of America’s impact on the rest of the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I felt the academics was lacking in resources. The professors did not understand that some students were international and majoring in other disciplines. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
API is an amazing program provider. The scheduled trips allowed me to view all of Ireland and other European countries. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The living arrangements were on par with American dorms. |
| * Food: |
Having to take public transportation due to lack of options on campus was an adjustment. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt disconnected from the local culture. Most local students commute. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My infection was treated right on campus for 25 euros. However I had to wait three weeks to be seen. I was sick on and off throughout the entire program. |
| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe in Ireland. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would definitely choose API again, but University College Dublin I felt did not have adequate resources or understanding for international students. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Roughly $100 a week but it fluctuates. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buying groceries and cooking your own meals is a great way to cut costs. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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 knew the UCD philosophy about waiving grades for freshman students that is reflected in the professors attitudes for first year level courses. I wish I knew that Ireland had issues with mumps contaminating their water supply. |
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. |
