Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Home away from home. Past Review

By (College Student Affairs, Eastern Illinois University) - abroad from 05/18/2015 to 07/25/2015 with

Eastern Illinois University (EIU): Dublin - Student Affairs Supervised Practice in Ireland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and took from this experience more independence. I really enjoyed working with the people in my office, and I would say that I learned how to live locally which is something that I found most worthwhile. More than just working the ability to travel and experience a country and culture is what made this experience.

Review Photos

Eastern Illinois University (EIU): Dublin - Student Affairs Supervised Practice in Ireland Photo Eastern Illinois University (EIU): Dublin - Student Affairs Supervised Practice in Ireland Photo Eastern Illinois University (EIU): Dublin - Student Affairs Supervised Practice in Ireland Photo Eastern Illinois University (EIU): Dublin - Student Affairs Supervised Practice in Ireland Photo

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

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had to use it while abroad so i honestly forgot I had it. It was easy to apply for.

* Safety:

Great city. Great people. Great country.

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)

I had saved enough to afford my trip and knew that I didn't want to worry about expenses while abroad. The highest costs for me was food and travel, but I had anticipated spending the amount I spent.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I think it is really easy to save money while abroad by balancing how much you actually eat out rather than cook in. I could easily go out each night and spend 20 euro for food and drinks, but I rather spent 50 euros on groceries that would last me nearly three weeks long. I would then save my money to splurge on the weekends when i was traveling to different parts of the country, restaurants, and bars. Also, I would say if you are planning to fly when in Europe, use Ryanair and plan your trips well in advance so you can save a lot of money on flights.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Flexibility for travel
  • Learning the difference in culture
  • Ireland
* What could be improved?
  • Living arangements were just okay.
  • I wish I would have established more structure in the work i accomplished in the office.
  • I would have liked someone else that was in the same area that I could use as support and to go places with
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have liked to know more about the different pace of lifestyle and how the summer looks for these offices in comparison with during the year. We as Americans are always fast pace all the time and looking to always be busy, which was a culture shock to me with a more relaxed work environment where personal well being and life is valued a lot more. I would suggest anyone going abroad to get to know the work culture of the country so they understand their place going in and do not come across too pushy.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'