you learn a lot about yourself, but you should definitely bring a friend with you if you come. Past Review
By Kevin B (HISTORY., Providence College) for
IFSA: Galway - National University Ireland
It teaches you a lot about yourself, and about what you like in life and what you would like to do. It was an invaluable experience, but I would defeinitely reccommend going with a friend, and if you don't like to drink, and/or are involved in your faith community at home, don't expect to find that in Ireland.
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. |
In most classes your grade depends on one paper at the end of the semester. Which is nice until it comes time to write that paper. European education system believes that most of your grade should depend on this last essay or test - which means that it is worth between 70 and 90 percent of your grade. When they didn't teach you much, it's hard to write a good paper. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My roomates think they can walk all over me because I am american. They are condesending towards me. I know I spelled that wrong. Other Irish people are nice, but they really only want to hang out with you when you are drinking. There are no PC Caliber students here. |
| * Food: |
it's too expensive to eat nice food - get used to frozeen pizza |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The St. Patrick's day parade was not Irish. Castles class field trip was cool. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
it's safe. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | general living here is really expensive. Ireland is the most expensive country in the European Union, and the Euro is worth a dollar and fifty cents, so it hits you hard. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't come to Ireland if you don't like to drink. Find a program that does home-stay. Everyone would benefit, but not everyone would enjoy it. |
