The Best Decision of My Life! Past Review
By Hannah B (Communication and Media Studies, Boise State University) - abroad from 09/13/2015 to 12/13/2015 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Dublin - Semester in Dublin
Studying abroad made me learn so much about myself and what I want to do with my life after I graduate. It helped me experience life outside America, and gave me an idea of what different countries value and how they function.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Studying in Ireland was the perfect amount of balance between school and being able to actually explore the beautiful country! The professors are very understanding of cultural differences and are more than willing to accommodate you in any way possible. Awesome Experience! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very helpful and always sent out emails to check on all of the study abroad students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Suite type apartments that were cozy and made me feel like I was back at my home university! They give you enough privacy, but also invites you to be social with the people you are living with. |
| * Food: |
The food in Ireland is to die for! Beef and Guinness Stew is by far my favorite meal on this planet now! They really know how to make a yummy meal. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Irish people are the most kinda and genuine people ever. They LOVE Americans and will stop at nothing to help you get to where you are wanting to go. I met so many locals and would go out with them often. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe in Ireland. I was studying abroad during the Paris attacks and the university as well as CIS Abroad did everything they could to make us all feel safe and make sure we were all doing okay. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program gave me so many opportunities to learn about the Irish Culture and took us on trips with locals to get the full experience. I was extremely prepared through CIS and was never nervous about any plans. I wish I was still in Ireland! |
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 would say a 3. It wasn't too expensive, but I chose to spend a certain amount each week. Ireland is way cheaper than most European countries that I experienced. If you budget your money out before you'll be fine! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | SAVE SAVE SAVE! You will want to go on so many adventures while abroad and its so important to budget out each trip when you get there but make sure you save enough before you leave! |
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? | 10+ |
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? | Cherish every single second you have while studying abroad. It goes by so fast. As soon as you know it, it'll be over and you will be wishing you were back in the country you studied in. |
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.' |
