Studying in Dublin: A Summer I'll Never Forget! Past Review
By Rachel D (Psychology, University of Virginia) for
IES Abroad: Dublin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I gained soo much from studying abroad! You learn so much about yourself and other people while abroad. It is definitely an experience I will never forget and it has truly changed who I am as a person.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Professors were friendly and helpful. Most classes only base grades on midterm and final exams. However, some classes will also have a project during the semester as well. Professors were easily accessible outside of class, in fact sometimes classmates and I would hang out with our professor at a park or pub. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was great! Incredibly helpful and organized! If we had a problem, they would try and help us solve it as quickly as possible. They were also great sources of information for where to eat or hang out in Dublin. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a house with four other girls and loved it! We lived in a really safe, somewhat upscale neighborhood. It was about a 30 minute walk to class. We needed to buy some cleaning supplies, but otherwise everything else was provided for us. |
| * Food: |
Ireland does not put any preservatives in their food, so we would have to go the grocery store a few times a week. There are sooo many awesome restaurants in Dublin! The BrazenHead Inn has amazing traditional Irish food, Joe Burger on Rathmines Rd has great burgers and fries, and Shakes Milkshake Bar has delicious shakes! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Dublin is such a great city because there is always something going on! Simply walking up and down Grafton St you will find a bunch of street performers. During the summer there is a Street Performer World Championship in Marion Square. There's also a food festival, and comedy festival in June and July. IES takes you on a field trip to another part of Ireland. We also had a few organized dinners at nice restaurants arranged by IES. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Dublin is a fairly safe city, but like any city it's best not to walk around alone at night. When someone on the trip got sick, IES helped make sure they had a doctor's appointment and helped them find a doctor to go to. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It was a lot cheaper to buy a phone in Ireland than bring a phone from the states. I would also recommend bringing durable shoes, you'll do a ton of walking every day! |
