I wouldn't trade this experience for anything!! Past Review
By Kenosha B (American Literature, University of Illinois - Chicago) - abroad from 06/07/2012 to 07/20/2012 with
IES Abroad: Dublin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
This experience was very worthwhile. I learned a lot about myself and I learned a lot about the Irish culture! I can't wait to go back!
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Dublin staff was amazing. They really did care about us, and they were people that I could talk to. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved the house I lived in for 6.5 weeks. I couldn't have asked for a better way to experience Dublin than to live in a house surrounded by regular Dubliners! |
| * Food: |
Food in Ireland was top-notch! Everything tasted fresh, even the frozen food. So much different and better than the US. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Irish welcome Americans. I never felt like an outcast. Anyone would come up and talk to you, and once they realized you were American they would be so interested and what to know everything about you. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any serious health issues while in Ireland, but pharmacies are accessible and I was able to find anything that I needed. |
| * Safety: |
The area that I lived in was pretty safe. I never felt that my safety was being compromised. Dublin is a wonderful city, not any worse than some cities in America. Just be smart, and you will be grand! |
| 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) |
Dublin is an expenisive city. Once I had to call my father in panic because I was running out of money sooner than I thought. My roommates and I shopped at the local grocery stores to save money on food. That really helped a lot. We pitched in and helped one another. |
| * 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? | probably close to 100 euro/ week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat out sparingly; walk everywhere you can; make a list of everything you plan on spending to take home and stick to that list. Don't go too crazy on the souvenirs. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Take vitamin c, bring more pants and long-sleeved shirts, and bring cold medicine! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
