On the Sesh and Hitting the Books in Rainy Dublin June 29, 2026
By A student (Religion / Religious Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/05/2026 to 05/03/2026 with
Arcadia: Dublin - Trinity College Dublin
I learned so much about myself, navigating adult relationships, and managing my finances.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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 |
Grainne is kind, reachable, and helpful. Awesome team in Dublin! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Comfortable apartment style accommodations. Didn't really seem like they cleaned the room prior to move in and my roommates and I had plumbing issues. |
| * Food: |
Well equipped kitchen. Affordable groceries. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt really integrated but most of my Irish friends I met outside of the program through friends of friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to get an x-ray and Grainne was extremely helpful in directing me where to go. She helped me file my insurance reimbursement following the appointment as well. |
| * Safety: |
For a major city, Dublin is very safe. I avoided the quays at night but otherwise felt comfortable walking home alone after a night out. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really loved my experience. |
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) |
I travelled quite a bit, so I had more expenses covering flights/trains. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook at home! Don't go to expensive and toursity bars. You shouldn't be paying more that 7.50 for a pint of guinness. |
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? | Prepare for two months of rain. |
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. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Queer Theological Ethics |
| Course Department: | Religious Studies |
| Instructor: | Dr. Erickson |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Knowledgeable professor, significant assigned reading, manageable essay and presentation work. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | N/A |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Introduction to Environmental Studies |
| Course Department: | History |
| Instructor: | Diogo de Carvalho Cabral |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Disorganized lecturer, unclear assignments, wandering and unfocused classes. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | N/A |
