Past Review
By Kathleen B (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Providence College) for
Arcadia: Galway - National University of Ireland, Galway
Studying abroad was one of the best things I have ever done. It expands your horizons and teaches you new things about yourself and the world around you. I fell in love with Ireland and I know I'll be back! I was able to travel to other countries and meet new people - all things I probably would have never done otherwise. I gained a new perspective and just had a really fun and memorable time. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | National Univeristy of Ireland, Galway |
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2009 |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Program administrators were helpful in that they continually contacted us via email, planned some day and weekend events for us, and were available if we needed help. However, because we attended an English speaking university, I felt we were far more on our own with regards to academics and univeristy living. Overall, I thought Arcadia was a good program. However, I was not placed in the main Student housing complex, which is where they said we would all live, because the administration were not prepared for the amount of students that ended up going through their program. I ended up living in a great location anyway, but it was not with Irish students which was a little disappointing. The program size was about 60 which was a nice size. I became good friends with a lot of the people in my program. They organized a welcome dinner and a farewell dinner and some day events. It would have been nice to have a little more organized trips and events. Overall, however, my expectations were generally met. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Niland House in the center of Galway - great location, right in the heart of the city. However, you do not live with Irish students. <br /><br /> Great location, but was disappointed to not live with Irish students |
| * Food: |
Meals were not included in our program. However, supermarkets were close to all housing complexes |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The social life in Ireland is great.. amazing pubs and great people, great places to travel to, and lots of things to learn about the history and culture of Ireland. I would recomment doing some bus tours, they leave out of the Galway city center |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe in Galway. Also, I got sick once while abroad and was able to see a doctor at the University health center. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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) |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | When studying abroad in Ireland I feel you generally have less interaction with your study abroad program than you might in other countries because you are in an English speaking country attending an English-speaking university. I was glad I picked Arcadia because the students in my program all got along well. However, if I had picked another program, my experience probably would have been just as great. You should consider these factors: how much does the program cost, where do students in this program live, how many students are in the program, and how many trips does the program set up. These factors will help you make your deicision |
