Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Deuces to Dublin, for Now Past Review

By (University of Redlands) - abroad from 08/30/2016 to 12/10/2016 with

IES Abroad: Dublin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My academic interests were reinforced and shaped along the way which has influenced how I'm thinking about my career path now. Even though I know the world's greater than me, being in Dublin and having conversations with people really made that idea stick. It felt as though I was in a box before. The lid was open on this box I was in and I could see out, stick my head as far up as it could go. But, going abroad got one of my feet out that box. There's still ways to go.

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.

There was an abundance of resources, but I don't feel the course work was intense necessarily. It was easy paced and I felt my course load was manageable.

* 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?

There were a couple instances of blatant, hilarious culture shock, hilarious to me anyway when I stood around for 20 minutes waiting for a store clerk to ask me for my order. But, overall I didn't feel too turned on my head.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I went to the doctor once after not feeling well, equal parts stress and needing antibiotics most likely. An IES staff member booked my appointment right up the street from the centre. The entire visit took less than 20 minutes I'd say. The main difference between my visit here and back home is I didn't get the whole "height, weight, temperature, blood pressure check" shebang which was fine. Also, though you're informed ahead of time, remember that you pay for doctor visits out of pocket, €60 if I remember correctly, on top of cost for medicine.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

No, only because I'd want to experience a different program. I'd still wind up spending time in the Center where I had classes for the Writer's Program anyway though. Also, though I'd choose a different program the next time around, it's not that I don't recommend the same program.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook at home as much as possible and limit the amount of time you spend going out on the weekends if you find yourself getting in a financial bind. Or, possibly even alternate weekends that you drink when you go out since sometimes the drink buying winds up being the bulk of your expenses when you hit up the town for a night out.

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Personal growth
  • People - professors, classmates, adorable old Irish men walking their dogs who struck up conversation
  • The trip to Spain I took with my roommate.
* What could be improved?
  • If there were a way to catch the bus from the airport to the apartments as a group, that would be nice, but if it doesn't work out logistically it's a-okay. I partly just didn't know what to put here.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I don't do well in cold weather - and that's fine. Also, I wish I'd known the bus route to the student apartments from the airport beforehand. But that's just me being wistful and missing that €10 or so.

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 Linguist
You 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!