Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Most unforgettable six weeks of my life! Past Review

By (Journalism., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/07/2013 to 07/15/2013 with

IES Abroad: Dublin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Overall, I felt a lot more independent when I left Ireland. I'd navigated foreign cities, made new friends, gotten to know Dublin and traveled a bit. I felt really refreshed and confident in my own capabilities. In terms of my internship experience, learned a lot about working on my own initiative. Irish work culture is different than American work culture, so I learned to do my best and self-initiate my work.

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?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Pack your lunch! It saves a lot of money by the end of the week, and that way, you can enjoy a meal or two out on the weekend. We bought a lot of groceries and cooked dinner at our house most nights instead of eating out. Pub food is expensive!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Living in Dublin
  • Work experience
  • Traveling with new friends
* What could be improved?
  • Organization in placing students with internships
  • Trips included
  • Food vouchers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How fast it would go! I tried to take it all in every day while I was in Dublin but it still just flew by.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.