Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best summer of my life! Past Review

By (Anthropology., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/04/2014 to 07/24/2014 with

IES Abroad: Dublin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Ireland is a beautiful country with wonderful people. It was so much fun being in the city throughout the week and then being able to disappear to the lush green countryside on the weekends! Traveling throughout the country is very easy and not too expensive, which allowed me to see Ireland in its entirety!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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)

Lots of the Irish culture revolves around going out to the pubs and getting together with friends. Food and drinks adds up very quickly!

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Set a budget for the week, and buy food at the local Tesco. They offer cheaper alternatives than going out to restaurants.

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?
  • Professors are super interesting and knowledgable
  • Housing is right in the center of Dublin
  • Irish culture is the best, lots of friendly people and good times
* What could be improved?
  • Very expensive- conversion rate is tough
  • Laundry situation is iffy- not the same as in the US
  • Longer terms! I would've loved to have a couple more weeks in Ireland!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Account for the conversion rate- living in Ireland is somewhat expensive, and I wish I had budgeted better for the trip.