Ireland was a dream come true! The experience shaped what I want to pursue following graduation Past Review
By Lauren S (Business Administration, Saint Michaels College) for
API (Academic Programs International): Galway - National University Of Ireland, Galway
I came home with a whole new set of confidence in my own abilities as well as different skills that I had learned in the classroom setting at a large university. Most importantly I had been bite by the travel bug.
Review Photos
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. |
I enrolled in five classes while abroad. Three which contributed to my major back home (E-Commerce, Ethics, and International Marketing). Two culturally enriching classes (Intro to Irish Life and Castle Studies). All of these courses assigned no consistent HW, the grade was fully dependent on either an inclass final or final paper. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program directors Kevin and Finn were honestly the best possible people for the job. They really had the interest of us students in mind and constantly would check in with us to make sure we were doing okay, even down to the simple stuff like is the water in the shower hot enough. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with three other American and one Irish student in a student apartment complex about a 20 minute walking distance from campus. I absolutely loved all my American roommates, my Irish roommate had extreme mood changes (something I attribute to only her and not a reflection of the Irish citizens at all). |
| * Food: |
The local food offered at restaurants was absolutely delicious; soups, meatpies, tea, beer, and veggie dishes were my favorites. For the most part I could find everything I wanted at the local supermarket, with the exception of mac-n-cheese :( |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was fortunate enough to travel to a different country each month I was away, as well as explore everything Ireland had to offer. Part of my program was an organized trip to Paris in Feb. which was really fun because it allowed the entire group to hang out and really bond early on in the program. I took a trip to Rome for Easter Weekend with Weekend Student Adventures with other study abroad students from a variety of countries (WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT WAS AMAZING!) Use "SOUTH15" when booking a trip to receive a discount |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I never once felt uneasy walking alone or late at night. Everyone in Galway City was very friendly and the only time I had my guard up was when I visited major European cities such as Rome or Paris. |
| 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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
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? | A student who does not mind the cold or rain and finds beauty in the rolling landscape. Someone who enjoys the vibe of warming up in a local pub listening to an Irish trad session and engaging with everyone around you. |
