Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing Past Review

By (Biology, General., St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 08/27/2012 to 12/15/2012 with

API (Academic Programs International): Galway - National University Of Ireland, Galway

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
You learn so much about other cultures and you learn to be much more independent. absolutely the best four months of my life

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

the classes are not continuous assessment and you go to class less than at smcm so it is a change.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was awesome to be able to live with Irish students

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved the town and the people of Galway.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

the university health care is free to students and prescriptions are easy to get at a local pharmacy.

* Safety:

Never felt unsafe. I had several friends friends lose phones and wallets that were waiting for them at the Garda station the next day.

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)

You can get by spending less than 100 a week but extra traveling around does add up

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about 100-150 depending if I was traveling
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? try to book your trips in advance so the flight costs are less and try not to eat out too much, cook your own food.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • the people in my program
  • the excursions
  • our Resident directors
* What could be improved?
  • less weekly meeting
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would not have done Piccell. I should have waited until I arrived to buy a cell phone.

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 Adventurer
The 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.