An indescribably amazing 4-month experience with permanent impact on my life! Past Review
By Abigail Crain (Missouri Baptist University) - abroad from 01/24/2016 to 05/28/2016 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Dublin, Ireland
I learned that the world is only as massive as we allow it to be, and there is nothing that can stop someone from learning as much as he/she can. Studying abroad will always be one of the best choices I have made in my life. The monetary cost should be the least of anyone's worries, as daunting as it may be, because I collected priceless experiences in my time abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved that Susanne and Hayley were truly invested personally in each of our experiences and cared for us individually. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Awareness and caution is always necessary in a global city. Try to never be alone at bus stops late in the evening, and if you simply have to, stay out in the open and look confident. I was "hit on", for lack of a better term, twice by drunk men in the evening-- once while I was near a bus stop and once sitting on a bus. Nothing physical was done to me but always beware and do not be afraid to stay firm and tell people to stop when you are uncomfortable with what they are saying/doing. Even if you are worried about offending cultural boundaries, your personal safety is more important than the feelings of someone accosting you. |
| 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 was able to save a lot of money on food because I lived with a host family and most of my meals were with them. I also tried not to spend money on items I knew I could get while in the states. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I tried not to spend money on items I knew I could get while in the states, aside from literally just a few clothing items, plus some toiletries. I also did not go out for drinking, even though most other people did, because that is costly in multiple ways (including actual money). It is a good idea to consistently budget and rework your budget based on what you know you are actually able to spend, and just be wise with money. Spend money on experiences, not items, and you will be able to see a lot more of the world with a lot less stuff to worry about hauling around. |
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? | I think I would have liked to know how different I would feel even months after returning, and not just in a negative way but in a way that makes me feel more confident yet more grounded. I still have a travel bug, and I believe that will never change, but studying abroad gave me such a deeper understanding of myself and others that I did not expect. I realized that there are just some things about humanity that transcend culture and language. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
