Irish Adventures Past Review

By (Journalism., Biola University) - abroad from 05/26/2014 to 07/19/2014 with

IES Abroad: Dublin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I worked five days a week for Sportsfile, photographing Irish sporting events as well as assisting in photoshoots. I loved the Irish culture and the people I worked with most. I still keep in touch with many of my colleagues and have formed long-lasting relationships. The staff at IES Abroad was brilliant from start to finish, helping me with paperwork and expediting the process in order for me to get the best internship possible. I truly had no problems with the IES administration or my employer. Highlights included experiencing hurling, the Gaelic sport, from the sideline numerous times as well as assisting in shoots for Adidas and Under Armour; the trip to Northern Ireland and exploring and living in Dublin.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Dublin - IES Abroad Dublin Center Photo IES Abroad: Dublin - IES Abroad Dublin Center Photo

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.

I worked five days a week for Sportsfile, photographing Irish sporting events as well as assisting in photoshoots. I loved the Irish culture and the people I worked with most. I still keep in touch with many of my colleagues and have formed long-lasting relationships. The staff at IES Abroad was brilliant from start to finish, helping me with paperwork and expediting the process in order for me to get the best internship possible. I truly had no problems with the IES administration or my employer. Highlights included experiencing hurling, the Gaelic sport, from the sideline numerous times as well as assisting in shoots for Adidas and Under Armour; the trip to Northern Ireland and exploring and living in Dublin.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff at IES were brilliant. They were always working to make our experiences as positive as possible.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved living right outside the city. The apartment was extremely nice and conveniently located two minutes away from the Luas as well as several Dublin bus stations.

* Food:

Irish food is truly grand. It is the heavy, delicious meat and potatoes that one would expect from an Irish culture. We lived right next to a Dunnes, which we frequented quite often for our groceries as well as treats such as Kinder eggs!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I learned more about the culture while working in my internship than I ever would have learned just taking a class abroad. I learned how to live comfortably in Irish culture, understanding their ways of life and how a normal day is for people at Sportsfile and other Irish citizens in general.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any experiences with the healthcare in Ireland.

* Safety:

I never felt that my safety was compromised in any situation. My housing remained extremely safe and the city is extremely safe.

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)

I lived very comfortably on the budget I planned for the trip. I could have spent my money more wisely, of course, because by the end I was running low, but due to my own personal choices.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? In American dollars, around $200 per week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be smart. Truly limit yourself to spending only a certain amount per week and you are less likely to be broke at the end of the trip!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* 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?
  • Internship
  • Learning and living everyday Irish culture
  • Northern Ireland trip
* What could be improved?
  • One-credit internship class.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I should have planned ahead and really left my options open when leaving my company. I would love to go back and should have expressed more interest in the company while in my internship.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.