Disappointing Past Review
By Lauryn G (English, George Mason University) for
George Mason University: Traveling - History and Culture of Ireland
No. I wasted $8,000 on a program that taught me next to nothing. I could have spent the money touring and country and enjoying the experience a lot more.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers were poor and disappointing. Don't expect to enjoy the classes or learn anything of interest. The advisers were unhelpful and unfriendly. Some of the field trips were enjoyable, but they were unorganized and overall very poorly planned. Such a disappointment to pay such a tremendous amount of money to get such a bad experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Most of the classes were pretty average sized; however, one class was overbooked, and as a result, many students had no seats and had to stand. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Most of the restaurants are decent. The town center has the best restaurants. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
No recommendations were given by our travel guide on events or attractions. Students were given housing, and after that we didnt't see our adviser unless we leaving our town. Students went to the pubs and that was it. We tried to research the local bus routes, but we were on our own. It was very hard to find our way around without any guidance. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Nobody in the program helped. When you need something, go to the local pharmacies. Luckily, you can get medical assistance without a prescription. When I had an eye infection, a really nice pharmacist in the town center fixed me right up. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Spend your money on a vacation. Don't waste your money on a study abroad program. |
