I want to go back! Take me back! Past Review
By Alice B (HISTORY., Austin College) - abroad from 01/24/2014 to 05/28/2014 with
IFSA: Belfast - Teacher Education at Stranmillis University College
I learned so much about the different school system and what others think of the different ways people teach in the different countries. And yes it was worthwhile, a hundred percent worthwhile.
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. |
I enjoyed the teachers and the staff. They helped explain everything when I didn't understand something. I also just have a great time in classes there. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The International Office and their staff were amazing and made me feel right at home. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived on campus. I had my bedroom to myself and my own bathroom. I shared a kitchen with the other but that was fine we never go in each other's way. |
* Food: |
I have an allergy to preservatives so I can't give a very good review but the other students loved the food and said that it was better than their home universities so I bet it was better than mine. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
They made it easy to assimilate. I mean they took us to one of their sports teams (Hockey) game which was so cool. Go Giants! |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got a seriously upset stomach one time and it was during my placement. I called my placement school and told them I was ill and an hour or so later I got a call from the International office asking what they could do to help me out. They were great. |
* Safety: |
The whole campus is in a good area of the city and it also has the whole place gated off and there is a guard at the front gate 24/7. I felt very safe while I was there. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
It was easy. They feed you on campus and public transportation is cheap. |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? |
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* What could be improved? |
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* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That there was so much walking involved. I did lose weight though so that worked out. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
Peace and Conflict |
Course Department: | History |
Instructor: | Eàmon Phenix |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | I am a History major at my home university and this was my last history for my major and what a history it was. I learned so much from Eàmon. He was awesome and so full of knowledge about Irish History which is what this course is all about. There were only two of us in his class but he told us that there were usually about 18+ in his class (our group was small not nearly that number). He took us on field trips both through his teaching but also physically. I learned so much from him and if I could take another one of his classes I would. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |