Ireland changed my life, I am a completely different person now Past Review
By Dodie F (Providence College) - abroad from 01/14/2013 to 05/19/2013 with
Arcadia: Dublin - University College Dublin
I learned that the only person you can truly rely on is yourself. Before I went abroad I was always trying to make everyone around me happy but in reality what matters is my own happiness. Traveling and those experiences I had made me realize how independent I actually am and can be.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Dublin school system is very different from the American school system. Students just focus on merely passing instead of excelling. Teachers very rarely give out about B's in regards to papers. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Arcadia was very welcoming and I met a lot of good friends through the program. The only thing I didn't really like was how we stayed in a hostel the first couple of nights. It actually made me more homesick then moving into the dorms would have. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was great how I had my own room and bathroom, great privacy. I actually was paired with a girl from the states and a bunch of other Irish girls who were really nice. |
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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: |
Ireland was extremely safe, the guarda only carries around pepper spray and does not carry guns. I felt more safe in Ireland then I do in the states. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Traveling was really hard to save money, I actually came back pretty broke from abroad and I would not have gotten through it if my parents were not able to support me. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 70 euro- 200 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to travel with food/snacks. Only go out to dinner when you really want too, save your money for the experiences. But definitely eat as much as you can when you're in Paris/Italy. |
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? | Nothing |
