A semester in the best city in Ireland Past Review
By Sean S (Physical Therapy/Therapist., Springfield College) - abroad from 01/05/2014 to 05/15/2014 with
API (Academic Programs International): Galway - National University Of Ireland, Galway
I learned so much about who I am as a person. It sounds like what everyone else says, but I'm serious. Invest in yourself. Take a risk. There is no greater feeling than being somewhere completely alone and exposed, and leaving with the best friends and memories.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
If you are dying to be challenged academically with your abroad experience, you may wish to look elsewhere. Luckily, I wasn't. NUIG is a pretty laid back campus and is VERY different from class in the US. There is no graded attendance, homework, or tests/quizzes. Your grade is determined by a final at the end of the course (most of the time). You can basically choose to go as much as you'd like. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There are not enough kind words that I can say about Finn and Kevin. They will inspire you in incredible ways. Just great people and always there for you - whatever it is. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartments are pretty nice, laundry you have to pay for. They are about a 20 minute walk from the downtown, which is well worth it. Galway is an extremely safe city. The irish can be a bit crazy, and I lived with 3 irish guys that fit the bill. My apartment was a mess and trashed a lot of the time, but these types of apartments were few and far between. Most were very well managed. You have every opportunity to switch out into a new apartment if you have any issues...I just liked my roommates too much. |
| * Food: |
I live off of chicken, beef, and eggs, so I can't really say I was impressed or disappointed. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Galway is a great college town with a lively social life. There is a cool arts scene as well. One of the greatest benefits of Ireland is the compassionate people! You are thrown in with 2nd year Irish students so you are immediately integrated. Just immerse yourself! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Never experienced any health issues |
| * Safety: |
Never heard of anyone having a problem while there. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
When you are traveling, expenses can run up. Flights will probably get you at about 70-100 euro each way. I would suggest flying with RyanAir over any other type of travel. Besides that, there are cheap food options nearby where you can spend only about 50-75 euro a week and be just fine! No bars and pubs have cover charges, while drinks will run you about 3-5 eur a pint and 7 eur per mixed drink. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about 50 euro on groceries per week and maybe another 75 euro on nightlife |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget! Save money when you aren't traveling so you can do more on your free time! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? |
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? | That the value of the euro is going down.....Go now while you have the chance! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
