I love Dublin with all my heart Past Review
By Shannon Hart (Sports Commuication, Lasell College) - abroad from 01/23/2017 to 05/27/2017 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Dublin, Ireland
I learned that it doesn't matter where you come from, your age or problems you face, you can make this experience what you want it to be. Don't be afraid to not do something just because you've never tried it before. Studying abroad is all about taking risk and exploring all the world has to offer.
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. |
The classes were very informative and I learned a lot that I would not have experienced in the United States. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The CAPA Dublin staff are amazing and very helpful with every aspect of the study abroad experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in one of the dorms on Griffith College's campus and for the most part the living arrangements pretty good. The bathroom was not the best setup because there was no divide between the shower and the rest of the floor. |
| * Food: |
Griffith College has a cafe or cafeteria area which offered a variety of food options. I would often purchase food from Spar or go to a cafe and a pizza place across the street. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt as though I was one of the locals and felt very immersed into Irish culture. I interacted with Irish locals daily through my internship and classes. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I experienced a situation where I needed to be taken to the doctor fairly urgent and the matter was handled very well. CAPA Dublin has a relationship built with a local doctor that caters to student's needs. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Dublin and in Ireland as a whole. Everyone is very friendly and will help if you are lost or need assistance. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
CAPA Dublin offered me so many amazing opportunities that I will be forever grateful for. I learned so much through my internship and classes. Met so many great people and visited the most incredible places. |
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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
There was a class offered through CAPA on Irish Language and even though I did not take it I was very much interested in learning as well as understanding Gaelic. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I really enjoyed reading the different street signs, license plates and bus stop notices in Gaelic then seeing what it translates to in English. |
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? | N/A |
