Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Irish Experience Past Review

By (University of Illinois - Chicago) - abroad from 06/12/2017 to 07/22/2017 with

IES Abroad: Dublin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I grew as an individual on the program and learned a lot about what I am capable of whether that be traveling on my own for the first time, diving into new things, or making a whole new friend group, study abroad and Ireland was one of the greatest things I have ever done.

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.

Classes were enjoyable and allowed time for you to get around and explore. Homework was not heavy, but end of the session exam could get intense if you don't prepare.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administration was great to work with and always ready to give out recommendations. At the beginning of the program, everyone received a "Dublin Bucket List" of things to do.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Apartment was clean and close to classes. Everything we needed was provided or us, save groceries.

* Food:

Never went to a place more than once because we wanted to try everything.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was a little difficult to meet people outside of our program because the session was only six weeks, but there were events in the city that allowed for communicating with locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Dublin is the safest city I have ever been to. I am from Chicago and I truly felt like I got the city life feel while still feeling completely safe at all times.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved Ireland even more than I thought I would. You get the city feel while living in Dublin and the country feel while traveling anywhere outside of the city. It is the perfect combination.

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)

Because I wanted to go out and explore new things, I did end up spending more than I would have liked on expenses such as traveling and eating out, but I don't regret it. Just go in with the mindset that you are going to spend money and save up a few hundred for spending.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I would spend about $60-80 a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You don't have to eat out all the time and definitely take advantage of free food opportunists that either IES provides or city programs provide. Also, find the cheapest grocery store you can (for me it was Aldi) and buy from there. It honestly tastes the same and you save money in the process. Finally, learn how to use public transportation and use it, even if it seems scary. It is a lot cheaper than calling a taxi everywhere.

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • People
  • The Country
  • The classes
* What could be improved?
  • More class/ program outings
  • Money saving tips
  • Tours around the city
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Before I left, I had a list of everything I wanted to get done and see and I wish I didn't focus on that so much. It is nice to be organized and have some ideas, but I think I could have enjoyed it more if I just went with the flow.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.