Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

NUIGalway... Its tough Past Review

By (Physics., Richard Stockton College of New Jersey) - abroad from 01/04/2010 to 05/28/2011 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Galway, Ireland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was a hard time for me, because there was a lot of things I wasn't expecting.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I liked it actually working through CEA got me through my complete culture shock.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Everything included. Too bad stealing is quite common. So, my inventory was missing and I didn't even know it. Never saw my deposit back. Also had to pay a lot extra. Overall this was not a safe area to live in. Especially with Ragweek there were fires and broken glass everywhere.

* Food:

I actually miss how cheap the food was. In the middle of january you could buy a head of lettuce for a euro. You could buy 3kg of ground beef for 3 euros. You could buy yogurt (that is hard to get used to, but is addicting) for 2 euro. The Irish complained about the cost of food, but honestly I felt that raw goods were insanely cheap. If your buying processed foods, alcohol and takeout, then your dumb, because when I realised what to buy I spent the equivalent of $30 a week on food. In the USA, I buy similar things and I spend about $80 a week on that.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I really like the trips planned. I also joined a club that have trips. I highly advise you take trips, because it makes it less stressful.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I only give safety so low, because of my accommodation. I know people who lived about .25 mile up from me and had absolutely no issue. It really matters where you live. If its Gort or has the word Coiribe in it, then be prepared for a bumpy ride.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I liked the trips and how caring the coordinator was
* What could be improved?
  • the HOUSING, please please don't send students to Gort Na Coiribe
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Only do this, if you know you want to go to Ireland. I chose this program based on the courses offered and pictures online. I didn't realise that it rained everyday. So do your homework!