Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It was the Craic! (Craic is a slang word they use to describe a "good time") Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 05/11/2016 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a great network of artists who pushed me creatively. Also, I created a great group of friends who I hope to stay in contact with. Ireland has inspired me to return to its lands someday and make a name for myself as a writer.

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 academic rigor was not as intense as my home institution. At Berea College, professors are more prone to do continuous assessment. However, at NUIG, it was up to the student to do more individualized learning until end-of-the-year exams. Both institutions differ in size and so do their teaching styles. Yet, at Berea, I was use to professors being more direct in their assignments, but at NUIG it gave me more opportunity to research my own ideas.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The location was great! The landlord was not very good at following certain rules: several times my landlord would walk into my apartment unannounced, he would show my apartment to people without my permission, or would not give me a notice that he would be showing people the apartment space. I would like to see better communication and respect from the landlord for students that will be living in the same space. I hope someone from Berea College will let the landlord know that these were issues and that he was violating many of the tenant rights.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

As a writing major, the Irish culture is supportive of my craft. I wish I could have taken more writing classes while there, but I got to do a great deal of personal writing in my free time. I hope that I can go back there for graduate school or via the Fullbright Fellowship with National Geographic.

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)

I think the budget allotted was fine. However, much of the food in Ireland is organically grown. Thus, the prices were a bit higher than expected. It made me have to be more budget conscious than I was expecting.

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? Come prepared with more personal money. I brought over the amount suggested ($1,000) but I didn't realize that I would use all of that before we would get the stipend from the college. Make sure to save when you can and don't be afraid to ask for a small loan if needed.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? N/A
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Gaelic, or Irish, is a dying language in Ireland. You don't really need to know the language to get around because English is their first language. However, it is a cool way to immerse yourself into the culture if you want to go the extra mile.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Experiencing the locals
  • Amazing food, art, music, and dance scene
  • Broadened my mindset of Ireland's connection to Appalachia
* What could be improved?
  • Better communication between the international and home institutions
  • Better communication between Financial Aid office and students abroad
  • Better research of the credit system between the two institutions
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How cheap it is to travel in Europe. I would've budgeted better to take more trips!

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 Urbanite
A 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.