What's the Craic? Past Review
By A student (Health and Medical Administrative Services., Providence College) - abroad from 09/04/2012 to 12/15/2012 with
Boston University: Dublin - Internship Program
I gained an incredible amount of knowledge about the Irish healthcare system, Ireland in general, my family, and myself. I learned I can fend for myself in a foriegn country, navigate around cities I've never before seen, successfully work at an internship in a different country, and most of all, handle the unknown. The experience was emotionally challenging but without a doubt worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Each of the three classes required an essay, a presentation, and an exam. The classes were condensed into 7 weeks so it was a heavy load but the professors were not difficult graders. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Mary. She was very nice and very willing to help. She made an effort to learn everyone's name within the first few weeks. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There were 9 of us- 7 females and 2 males- living in a campus apartment at DCU. Each pair of roommates had their own bathroom so that was a plus but the kitchen and common room was shared among the 9 roommates. |
| * Food: |
there was no meal plan but a full kitchen with plates, bowls, pots, and pans was provided in each apartment |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since we were living on campus at DCU we were constantly interacting with locals. Plus, the internship throws you into the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Mary was very helpful if people needed assistance. There is also a clinic on campus and across the street. |
| * Safety: |
You just have to be smart ESPECIALLY in Temple Bar, a few wallets were stolen there. |
| 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) |
Dublin is very expensive. I probably spent about 100 Euro a week and that would include eating lunch or dinner once a week. Some internships are farther away but different bus passes are available to combat the high costs. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | probably just under 100 Euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take the bus, not cabs, and do not eat out all of the time |
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? | Dublin is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. However, it is an awesome college city! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA 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. |
