Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Branching Out Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Anonymous University) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/13/2014 with

IES Abroad: Dublin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a new perspective on life from the experience. I believe wholeheartedly that it was worth my while. It taught me how to expand beyond my own little bubble and look at life from the lens of an Irishman. Life over there is calmer, more accepting of life (as opposed to always trying to change everything for our own benefit). They don't freak out when the buses are late (best example I can think of Irish living).

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

Housing was nice, but required a little more cleaning at the start than I would have preferred.

* 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)

This wasn't due to the program, the city is just expensive and the conversion rate isn't too hot right now.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100-120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't go overboard the first few weeks: pace out your money (you'll want it more later on in the program).

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None for that language (Irish)
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? USE IT. Don't accept that it isn't required. When you go to the small towns try and talk with the townsfolk in the language.

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?
  • The professors
  • The Georgian houses
  • The pub life
* What could be improved?
  • More field trips
  • More courses offered
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how quickly the experience would go by. It was so much quicker than I had anticipated.

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.