Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My month of adventure in Ireland Past Review

By (Biology, University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 06/23/2014 to 07/24/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely worthwhile! I am so much more confident and I loved being immersed in a different culture for a while

Review Photos

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Finn and Kevin are two of the most wonderful and welcoming people. They were available for help whenever we needed it but they also let us learn for ourselves and grow as people. I am so glad I got the chance to know them

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I would have liked to have been able to meet more locals. I didn't get to meet too many Irish people

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health issues so I can't really comment

* Safety:

I always felt very safe

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You don't need to eat out every night -- the apartments have kitchens, and the grocery store is much cheeper than restaurants

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Traveling around the country
  • Truly living on our own
  • Interesting classes
* What could be improved?
  • Meet more locals
  • Smaller groups when traveling
  • Time efficiency
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I actually feel like I was pretty prepared

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.