The best time of my life. Past Review
By Eric D (Writing/Drama, Anonymous University) - abroad from 02/01/2012 to 05/27/2012 with
IES Abroad: Dublin Direct Enrollment - Dublin City University
More about myself than I have in all my other years of college combined.
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. |
Could have been more, but I'll be honest, school wasn't why I went abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES Dublin staff is outstanding. Everything you need is taken care of, and they're really trying to give you a wonderful experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was fine. Much better than living on campus would have been. |
| * Food: |
Had to buy our own, so hard to rate high or low here. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very! Its up to you to get involved, and I did! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Very well. They made sure we knew about everything and how to get a hold of it. |
| * Safety: |
Dublin is fine. Don't be stupid, and you'll never feel unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Oh you will spend money. A lot of money. You can live pretty cheaply, but if you're going out a couple nights a week, and especially when you go on trips, you will blow through your life savings. But so what? What else could you be saving it for? |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Between 100-200 euro average, not including plane tickets and hostel costs. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn where food is cheapest, and prepare yourself not to eat as well while abroad. Walk as much as possible, and just keep an eye out for any way to save. And look out for the exchange rate. And WATCH YOUR MONEY THE FIRST MONTH! That's where we all spent the most. Going out costs more than you think. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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? | How much money I was going to spend. |
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.' |
