A Summer in Ireland Makes Dreams Come True Past Review

By Shane M (Marketing and International Business, Pennsylvania State University - University Park) for

CIEE: Dublin - Summer Irish Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It is a great experience not only for your professional career to experience a different culture, but also a great personal experience. It makes you understand and value what you have, while also respecting what others have and how they live. With the way the world is getting smaller and smaller, it is important to know how to interact with different cultures and lifestyles so you can respect and coordinate with everyone.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	My summer abroad session was a very great yet different experience. The session abroad had a completely different feel compared to any semesters I've had in the US. My time abroad was focused less on the in-class experience and more on the outside environment and learning about a different culture by being involved in it as much as possible.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Anytime I had a question about the program/country, the advisers and support staff were always timely and efficient in their responses. The program was much smaller compare to my large college I am in in the US, so it was nice to have that ease of access to teachers and support that I'm not used to in such a large campus.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:	Good food, it is definitely worth branching out and trying new foods.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Any interaction with someone of a different culture is memorable and interesting. People are just as curious as you are as to the differences between cultures and norms.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Dublin was a very safe city, the only problems I had with the city and safety was the beggars you see quite often on the streets.
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)