Homesick for Galway Past Review
By Jill L (Communication and Media Studies, University of Massachusetts / UMass - Boston) - abroad from 01/03/2017 to 05/11/2017 with
API (Academic Programs International): Galway - National University Of Ireland, Galway
This was the most worthwhile experience of my life. I learned how to travel and organize trips more easily. I learned how to create a life for myself in a new place. I got to experience an international education system. I gained more travel experience and so many new lifelong friends. I could truly go on for days. It was the best decision I've ever made.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
API provided me with everything I need and more to make this the best experience of my life. From resident directors to cultural events, I felt so involved within the Irish culture and it allowed me to create an everyday life in the best city in the world. |
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) |
It depends on what your plans were for that week. |
| 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? | Have a weekly plan for the groceries you need and how much of it you'll actually eat. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
People in Galway speak English but I was able to visit my family in the West and practice Irish which is their first language there |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Don't get frustrated and don't be embarrassed to try even if you think you're going to sound funny |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I didn't know just how much I would come to love Galway and have it genuinely feel like home. I miss it there and think about it every single day. |
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. |
