Best experience I have ever had in my entire life that will never be beat. Past Review
By Jane K (Marketing, University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 01/24/2015 to 05/23/2015 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Dublin, Ireland
CAPA made me more independent and ready for the future. I wouldn't have any of the amazing job opportunities I've been blessed with if I hadn't gone.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really liked Griffith College. The classes I took were interesting and had relatively easy homework. The only downside that I had about the school was the time tables. At home, everything is online so it just seemed absolutely redundant to go to different sides of campus to see what modules are being offered. It was a very hectic first week. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
UMass had SO MUCH preparation into studying abroad, that it ended up being a little too much. The study abroad conference we did was ridiculously long and awful. The only reason I didn't get anything useful out of it was because there wasn't an ambassador from CAPA Dublin to tell us what to expect at all. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everything was great at Griffith, but the only downside was the lack of oven and kitchen utensils...as well as a comfortable mattress. I must say it is one of the worst mattresses I have ever slept on. But the space was nice! The bathroom took some getting used to. |
| * Food: |
I loved the food in Dublin! Definitely something to experience because they have awesome food anywhere you go no matter what type. I always felt full and satisfied. Griffith doesn't have a dining common, but rather a café that I'd go to if I was lazy. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If I didn't have the internship, my interaction with Dublin locals would be very miniscule. I met so many wonderful people at Dress for Success Dublin who introduced me to so many amazing things. I will never forget my time with them! I miss them so much already. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any health problems, but my roommate did. She got the care she needed and was always checked-in on. |
| * Safety: |
When I got there, I was TERRIFIED of being pick-pocketed. It was almost to the point where I was paranoid. At the end of the semester, I would get to the airport at 12 to take the city bus and walk home alone and feel absolutely fine. Dublin is a very safe city as long as you aren't stupid about it. |
| 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) |
I spent a lot of money because I didn't want to regret not experiencing everything Dublin has to offer. I would do it all again if I had to! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | <$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would put aside what you are planning on spending BEFORE you go abroad and stick to it. I spent under $8,000 and that was my personal budget. |
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? | You won't miss your family at all because you'll be having the time of your life! Make sure you still call and write them, though. |
