Past Review
By Matthew L (Politics, The Catholic University of America) for
Institute of Public Administration: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Although my study abroad program in Dublin required to spend far more money than I would have wished to spend, the experience altogether was worth any trivial complications that occurred during my time there.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was not severe and the grading system I believed was far and the same as in my home university in Washington, D.C. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program administrator was accessible and being a native had a great knowledge of the host country. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was a two-story home in a quite suburb outside of Dublin proper. <br /><br /> The housing and the host family was fine, but I felt that the house itself was too far away from the city, and as a result I had to spend much money weekly on the train. |
| * Food: |
My host mother was a great cook and offered a daily variety of meal choices. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were fortunate enough to visit Paris, France one week, which needless to say is a city full of cultural and historical significance. Small groups that included myself and other abroad students took routine trips to different parts of the island of Ireland, all of which were beautiful sights to behold. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
When we learned that the Dublin police do not even carry guns we knew right then that there was not much to fear during our time abroad. |
| 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? | Save your money in advance, for you will inevitably arrive at points during your time abroad when unexpected expenditures will take place. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Since I was in Ireland I did not have to speak any other language other than English. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* 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?
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? | If a student wants to study for some time abroad and see how another group of people live, a people needless to say who have suffered more than very few other groups of people, then come study in Ireland. |
