Dublin: The experience of my life. Past Review

By (Communications, Rider University) for

GEO: Dublin - Study Abroad Programs in Dublin

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
YES! After it ended, I was dying to go on another adventure, or stay longer in Dublin. The classroom setting was great, the group of students was small enough to get to know everyone. Everyone was so nice and helpful when you had a problem. You get long weekends to travel with friends and the bus system is great. It's so easy to get where you want to go.

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.

The workload was reasonable, not too much and spaced out evenly between classes. Teaching methods were similar to the american system.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone was available if you needed help, Lisa, Dan and Una were fabulous, friendly and sincerely nice to everyone. The door was open during all classroom hours and they were available on facebook or via phone if you needed anything!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was great, we already had sheets, towels, etc. given to us. We were in a great neighborhood, a little far from the rest of the students but we were close to Publix and busses. Our host family treated us like we were family. The mom had breakfast and dinner ready for us, asked us about our day and gave us suggestions for places to go shopping, etc.

* Food:

I don't eat red meat or pork, and the host mom accommodated me very well. She never once complained about it being a problem that I ate different things than everyone else. There were some great pubs to eat at in Dublin and Dun Laoghaire as well!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We went away to Glencolmcille for the weekend to get a taste of real Irish culture, and I loved every single minuite of it, from the hike, quaint little town to gaelic football and pubs. Our program also arranged an Irish dancing class, a sporting event, how to get tickets to the gaelic football championship game in dublin and a bar night on our last night here.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

It was extremely safe where we were, also our program leaders took us through a tour of Dublin and pointed out the good areas to stay in. If there were any health issues, I went to a pharmacy and the pharmacist would help me to get medicine that i needed.

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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Weekend in Glencolmcille
  • The home stay family
  • Wednesday excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing! Everything was perfect
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be open minded, and friendly. The people in Dublin and the AHA program are so unbelievably nice. The student who wants an adventure would benefit greatly from this program, it's almost like a stepping stone to bigger and braver adventures.