Exploring Opposite Sides of the World: 3 Months in Ireland, 5 Months in Australia Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Both NUIG and University of Melbourne have large lectures, but with some classes at NUIG and all classes at Melbourne, you also have a small tutorial of about 15 students which is quite helpful for understanding the material and asking questions. In both Australia and Ireland, it is typical (at least for most liberal arts subjects like English, History, Philosophy, etc) to have only two assignments per semester, one midterm and one final paper. Therefore, do not feel like you need to read all the assigned reading--it is not expected that you will read everything--but start thinking and focusing on what you plan on writing well before the due dates, because you will likely have 3-6 long papers due all at the same time.

On-site administration of your program

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Although the immediate area is a bit dull and boring, the housing in Ireland was perfect. I was in a complex which housed only other students, and I made a lot of friends from the US, Ireland, and other countries. The apartments were quite large, which made hanging out easy. Gort na Coiribe, the apartment complex, is a bit of a hike (about 20 minutes on foot) from town, but there are two grocery stores and a department store five minutes away. Most items are provided, but certain personal things like sheets are not. I would recommend waiting until you are settled in before buying sheets and towels. YOU WILL NEED AN ETHERNET CABLE, which Arcadia did not tell us before we arrived. The area is fairly safe, but I would not recommend walking around alone after 10 PM or so, because the area is quite isolated. In Australia, my apartment (College Square on Lygon St) was much nicer (and larger) than most of my friends'; however, it was also a lot further from campus, town, and all the other housing options. It was a 30 minute walk to campus and a 45 minute walk into the center of town. There is a tram, but it gets pricy (3.50 AUD for a one way trip, 7.00 for a day pass.) The apartments were mostly occupied by young families, not other students. Although there is a little grocery store at the base of the building, all other food/shopping options are a minimum of 10 minutes away. I would strongly recommend not walking alone at night. It is not unsafe, but the street is not well lit and contains mostly parks and other apartment buildings, and there were several pan handlers. I loved Australia, but if I could do one thing differently it would be to select different housing.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Take every chance possible to travel both in and outside your country. Look at the university's academic calendar to see when you have long weekends, bank holidays, etc. In Australia in the Spring semester (Fall semester for them,) arrange your Easter Break trip early. You will have 10 days, so take the time to explore the country. I recommend Arcadia's trips, especially the free ones : ) Any chance you have to travel and explore, TAKE IT.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Arcadia University provides healthcare for its students. I had no health-related issues while abroad. Galway is a very safe city (more of a large town, at least from an American perspective.) The only thing to be careful about it walking alone at night. On any given night there will be a fair number of drunk/partying students wandering around (nothing too obnoxious or over the top) and it is important, especially for girls, to be aware of where you are and who's around you. I would not recommend walking alone after dark. Melbourne is also a very safe city, even at night. Again, it is important to be aware, especially if you've never lived in a city before, but it is very safe, especially compared to US cities. I did not walk alone to my apartment at night, because it was a bit more isolated, but in the CBD (Central Business District, basically downtown) it is quite safe, even at night. We were told during orientation not to walk alone on campus at night--it is deserted and there are many empty buildings/small dark alleys. There have been some incidents with students being assaulted at night, but again basic safety rules apply--as long as you stay with others and are aware, you should be fine.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment

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• International Students
• Local Students
• Americans