Study Abroad in Limerick- Craic that I will never forget!! Past Review
By Abby O (Sociology, University of Minnesota - Duluth) - abroad from 01/18/2015 to 05/18/2015 with
API (Academic Programs International): Limerick - University of Limerick
I learned so many things while abroad. I learned how important it is to go out of your comfort zone. I also learned that you need to take opportunities that are presented to you, even if that means you need to be spontaneous. Most importantly, I learned to really get to know the people around me. They became some of my closest friends that made the trip as amazing as it was. Study abroad was absolutely a worthwhile experience that I will always remember.
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. |
I really enjoyed taking classes abroad. I got to understand sociology from a totally different cultural perspective. Also, all of the teachers were really understanding, helpful, and willing to answer any questions you had. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My overall program administration was fantastic! My program directors were some of the nicest and most helpful people I have ever met. They were there to meet us at the airport as soon as we got there and helped us through the first couple weeks of study abroad. They were so fun and just enjoyable to be around. We had the opportunity to take multiple excursions with our program, as well as explore the city that we would be living in, so it gave us an opportunity to really get to know the whole country and culture. I loved API! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
This was one of the best parts of the whole trip! I not only got to room with American students who were from my program, but I also got to room with Irish students. I became very close friends with all of these people and it made the experience just amazing. This housing situation allowed me to really jump into the cultural and feel like I was really a part of the community. It was really great! |
| * Food: |
Food in Ireland was really good. They had a lot of what I expected (meat and potatoes types of stuff), but they also had a lot of other types of food and restaurants around the area, so it was a lot of fun seeing what types of similar and different types of food they had. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone in Ireland was so incredibly welcoming. From the first day, I felt like I got along with people really well and by the end of the study abroad experience, I walked away with new best friends. I got the chance to travel around and experience normal Irish culture with Irish people and it was just an amazing time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have to deal with any sort of healthcare issues during my trip, but I knew who to talk to if I did. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Limerick. As long as you stay with at least one other person, you will never have any problems. People are very friendly and I never had any problems. The university was well secured and there was plenty of lighting around the university and city. Overall, I was never concerned about safety. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I am so happy with the program that I chose! I met some of my closest friends both in the city I lived in and in my program. The university that I attended was not only beautiful, but also provided excellent educational opportunities. This was the best experience I have ever had and it would not have been the same if I was not in Limerick! |
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 was fairly easy to live on a student budget. I came into my trip with a budget in my head, knowing how much I would allow myself to spend each week. We bought our own groceries, so that was a main expense, but I also used that money to go on trips and travel around Ireland. So as long as you plan it out beforehand, it is very doable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $75 or $100. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy groceries that will last for a long time or that you can use multiple times. Save most of your money for travel because those are the memories that you will remember from your experience. You don't need to spend a lot to go out. Share expenses with your friends (taxis, hotels, groceries, etc.). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | 10+ |
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 wish I knew how important it is to put yourself out there. Spend time with the locals and befriend people right away. These are the people that you will make memories with and that you will remember after you leave. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
