Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A great experience for personal and social growth. Past Review

By (Elementary Education, Drake University) - abroad from 01/24/2014 to 06/08/2014 with

IFSA: Belfast - Teacher Education at Stranmillis University College

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile from a social and interpersonal aspect. I learned a lot about myself and about the world around me. However, it was not worthwhile academically.

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 very little rigor or intensity. Resources were often very hard to find due to lack of information from tutors. The practical experience was the most I learned due to my academic classes, but even those were not in my actual classes. I feel like it was a waste of an academic semester.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was unimpressed with the lack of information about when the program would actually end, so it was hard to find housing for the end of the semester. Also, we had to move twice which was very unfortunate. There was also a very inconsistent cleaning service that I'd rather just do without. Beds were entirely uncomfortable and required extra purchases to make it sleep-able. Kitchens were dirty and not well equipped. It was nice having own room, own bathroom.

* Food:

It was good to have the option, but I stopped eating at the dinning hall after about a month because it was gross, non-nutritious, and made me feel sick.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

No experience

* 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)

With a poor dining service, food purchases got expensive. Living is also just more expensive there, but I saved up adequately for that.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30pounds+
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't try to convert back into home currency all the time.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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 people
  • The experiences/opportunities
* What could be improved?
  • Program dates (beginning, end, breaks) a lot more clear
  • Better information provided to students about the academic expectations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I was excited to take relevant classes and actually study abroad. However, I wish I would have known that very little to advance my degree would be done abroad and I might have considered a summer term instead.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Children's Health & Wellbeing
Course Department: Early Childhood Education
Instructor: Louise Quinn
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was a great course for a first year student interested in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education. I found the content very relevant and accessible.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Assessment For Learning in Diverse Classrooms
Course Department: Education
Instructor: Sharon Jones
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I would not recommend this course. The lectures were large and very hard to sit through. The content was so scattered and random that it felt like a bunch of different lectures than one cohesive class. There were often idea for effective teaching that were taught, but not utilized in the class. Many different guest speakers made the course interesting because you didn't know what to expect, but some were better prepared than others and that made it frustrating at times.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Child Development 1
Course Department: Early Childhood Education
Instructor: Barbara McConnell
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This is a good course for a first year student interested in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education. It looks at development from birth up to seven years. The content delivery was not the best, but the content was relevant and interesting.
Credit Transfer Issues: