Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I was looking for something different, and I found Limerick Past Review

By (Valparaiso University) - abroad from 01/18/2016 to 05/18/2016 with

CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Limerick - Semester in Limerick

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This trip was absolutely worth while. I gained a new sense of independence and confidence in myself. I also have gained other valuable life skills such as being able to communicate across cultures and being able to take a new perspective on situations.

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.

I loved that I was able to take classes with native Irish students. I felt that the classes were challenging and engaging, but not impossible to do while still traveling and getting the most out of being abroad.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

John Hayes was our on-site coordinator, and I could not have asked for anyone better. He was always ready to help us with any issue we had. His first priority was to make sure we were safe. He also knows a lot about every place we visited and had many fun facts/interesting stories for us along the way.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was very happy with where I was living and who I was living with. I had roommates who were from all over the world. This lead to me learning more about different cultures other than just the Irish culture. The village that we lived in was not solely study abroad students, there were also native Irish students as well. This was great because I was able to make some very close friends with people from all over the place.

* Food:

The food was mostly alright. I was not blown away by it by any means. I would have to say that the Traditional Irish breakfast is something that I do miss on occasion.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

UL did a phenomenal job at opening the opportunity up for international students to become integrated on campus. With around 70 clubs and societies there seems to be something for everyone there.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was fortunate enough to not have to experience their healthcare system. However, I did know where the health center was on campus and knew that it was readily available to me, which I think is important.

* Safety:

I always felt safe while I was in Limerick. However, my advise is to use the buddy system, especially at night. While it may feel like you know the city that you are staying in, you don't know it as well as the locals, and it is always better to be safe than sorry. Take a friend with you wherever you may go.

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

Even though Limerick wasn't my first choice, I fell madly in love with the city, the country, and the people that I met there.

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)

I would say that it is very possible to live on a minimal budget while abroad. It is just a matter of budgeting and keeping an eye on your expenses.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? between $75 and $100 on a normal week while I wasn't traveling
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Talk to others who have gone abroad before to get a sense of what you could be spending and try to set a budget before you leave.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The people
  • The opportunity to travel with the program
  • Being so welcomed to the University
* What could be improved?
  • More traveling with the group
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have realized just how short 4 months would be. There is so much more that I wish I could have done but didn't have the time to do.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.