Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great time in Ireland September 11, 2023

By (Computer Science ML, Brandeis University) - abroad from 07/01/2023 to 07/26/2023 with

Arcadia: Dublin - STEM Summer Research - Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about programming. It was worth it. You can travel around if you take this program because there aren't class times.

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.

The educational experience is pretty much up to you. The STEM program is pretty much by yourself with guidance of an instructor. For the Computer Science STEM one you are flying SOLO and the instructors don't expect you to work 9-5 5 days a week. I got an A- for the whole summer and probably worked 20 hours a week on my research project. But I'm sure I could have done even less and gotten by. You have to be motivated in your project or else it will be difficult to get anything done as it's unsupervised learning

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I thought the program administration was nice, they took us around to a lot of cool places. LOL they forgot a kid at the airport on day 1 but otherwise they did great. Everything in Ireland is pretty laid back so the administration is pretty chill about everything.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

You get your own room and bathroom. You have your own kitchen etc.

* Food:

There is a super small grocery store right outside the housing. There are sandwich and little places to eat across campus. NO DINING halls. As someone who likes to cook I loved it. but you might struggle if you can't cook. Whether you cook or not it is 100x better than brandeis dining

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I went during the summer so there weren't other students around. you most likely won't make Irish friends if you go in the summer. You could always meet someone at the bars, I met a few Irish guys who I would play soccer with every weekend.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no healthcare issues that were addressed. I have no idea

* Safety:

I had no safety concerns during my stay

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

No Ireland is a fun city but there are much cooler places in europe. I went during the summer and there aren't really beaches/ it's not very warm during the summer.

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)

it's pretty expensive in ireland. food is not included in program expenses so I was buying my own food every week

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? probably 200-300. If you go out and get 5 drinks expect to be spending about 35-50 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? buy your groceries from off campus grocery stores. Get a student bus card immediatly making every bus trip 1 euro. If you drink buy your alcohol from a liquor store and when you go out pregame with that. drinks range anywhere from 6-11 euro so it adds up quick. unless youre at a greasy bar/club where they have cheap shots.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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?
  • People
  • Living Situation
  • Flexibility in work hours
* What could be improved?
  • Price
  • Length of Program
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That my program and CS program were going to be online

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.