Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I am already planning my next trip to Europe Past Review

By (Sociology., Providence College) - abroad from 01/01/2013 to 05/18/2013 with

IFSA: Galway - National University Ireland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am less ignorant. I gained a different view on the US, some good and some bad. Learned about the international school systems. Made mistakes. Deciding to live abroad is exciting but also scary, I think I grew as a person because I was able to overcome my vulnerability. Meet amazing people from around the world, and was able to put my trust into strangers. Realized that people from very different places are quite common among myself. Gained life long friends from the US. YES! It was worthwhile.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I cooked my own food. Ireland's supermarkets were very similar to the States

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was never seriously ill, so I did not need any health care

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-$150 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? cook with friends. A lot of money went towards my night life, clubs or pubs, so if you need to budget your money, you can't go out every night of the week, pick and choose which nights will be worth your euros.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International 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?
  • trips to Dublin, Killary, Northern Ireland
  • The other American students
  • Tim, Geer and Suzy
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Meeting Irish students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I should have saved much more money and more about my housing situation.

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.