A semester of growth! Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 09/04/2017 to 12/15/2017 with

Arcadia: Galway - National University of Ireland, Galway

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, I really enjoyed learning and studying in a different country. It was interesting to be able to learn about topics from a perspective other than America's perspective.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

On site administration of my program was great. Everybody was very helpful and always available to help.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Corrib Village and did not like it. I did not like the location of how far it was from food, the grocery store, the town where events were happening. The accommodations themselves were not very nice either. We had poor quality kitchen supplies and utensils, the wifi was very poor, and the water heater did not work a majority of the time we stayed there.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Very easily accessible and affordable. I had strep throat one time while I was there, and the doctors/pharmacists were very helpful and polite.

* Safety:

I felt much safer in Galway than I do most places in the United States. No guns!

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

I enjoyed this program so much. It was affordable, and I fell in love with Galway! I want to move back there. The professors were all very educated and helpful.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Probably about 60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan a budget prior to getting there. And stick to it!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

everyone spoke English

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Similar to my home college (diverse)
  • Lots of options for classes
  • Very fun and inclusive atmosphere
* What could be improved?
  • Housing arrangements at Corrib Village
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I don't really have anything that I wish I knew. I learned a lot about myself and accomplished traveling alone, meeting new people, and trusting myself. I would not have had the chance to learn these things had I not studied abroad.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.