Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A life changing experience Past Review

By (Business Administration, Management and Operations., Trinity University) - abroad from 08/25/2013 to 12/18/2014 with

Arcadia: Galway - National University of Ireland, Galway

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I realized how to live on my own and how to become accustomed to a culture that is different from my own.

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.

Classes were not that hard, the library was very useful when looking for any books I needed.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program directors were very helpful, always could find help when needed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I really enjoyed the Irish students I lived with, the flats were very nice.

* Food:

Made all my own food we had a grocery store right across from our housing complex, groceries are kind of expensive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

People were so friendly, I felt welcomed into the culture everywhere I went.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Had no health problems.

* Safety:

I felt safe the whole time I was in Ireland, whether it was in broad daylight or at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Probably only draw back was it was very expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $125
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to make a weekly budget so you can budget your money throughout your trip.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • The friends I made
  • How easy it was to integrate into the culture
  • How helpful the program supervisors were
* What could be improved?
  • The student housing could be located a little closer to the actual city center or campus.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I just wish I knew how expensive it was going to be. Just be sure to save up money and now how to be on a budget while you are abroad.

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 Adventurer
The 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.