Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Ireland Will Forever Be Home October 08, 2024

By (English: Creative Writing, Hope College) - abroad from 01/15/2024 to 04/27/2024 with

IES Abroad: Dublin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I will forever cherish memories of riding the DART to the seaside, exploring markets, bookstore hopping, going to services in St. Patrick's Cathedral, walking the streets, and simply taking Dublin in. Walking the city, it became mine. I've never felt so intimately connected to a place.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I am gluten free and I had no trouble navigating grocery stores and finding options that fit my dietary restrictions.

* 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

I had the opportunity to study in Dublin, Ireland with IES Abroad's Dublin Writers Program. Not a day goes by that I don't wish I was back. Those four months were incredibly impactful academically, creatively, and personally. Studying abroad taught me independence, to trust myself. It gave me the freedom to explore and encounter the world on my own terms.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I would place my estimate at about thirty dollars per week on a normal basis. Weekends of travel were naturally higher.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Start saving as early as you can. Honestly, I'd recommend having enough money saved that you don't really have to think about it. Save enough so that you're free to adventure. Also, I'd recommend shopping at Aldi, Lidl, Penney's, and Dunnes. A lot of people said that Dunnes was more expensive but it worked really well for me with my allergies.

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?
  • The accessibility of Dublin
  • The kindness and knowledge of the staff
  • The ability to explore Ireland
* What could be improved?
  • Having students apply for a LEAP card prior to arrival.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how important it is to have a plan going in. Bear in mind, I say this lightly. Spontaneity is a good thing but it's also important to have already zeroed in on your top travel destinations. With that in mind, sometimes I felt like I wasted a weekend by not going out and exploring something new. That's genuinely the only regret I have.

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!