Dublin: Working for the Parliament and Living Abroad Past Review
By Alexandra N (History, Northeastern University) for
Institute of Public Administration: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It has been absolutely wonderful, getting a chance to live in a different country that still offers some of the comforts of home. Language was not a problem which made the transition much easier.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Teaching method was mostly lecture based classes with some discussion. Internship within the Irish Parliament was both educational and fun. The workload wasn't too bad, no outside work except for a little bit of studying before the exams and one paper before the finals. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very accessible, gave contact numbers that could be reached at any time. They had good advice on travel plans and were available to help with any problems. Program was small, only about 19 kids total - but it was nice. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host family experience was absolutely wonderful. Didn't need to buy any items, had own room. Neighborhood was safe, 15 minute walk from town center. Only draw-back was the distance from my home to the classes and internship - had to take a bus or train every morning, not too bad, just expensive. Had amazing experience and bond with host family and other student living in the home. |
| * Food: |
Eating out is very expensive, as food is pricey in Ireland right now. My host mom made dinners and most breakfasts, also providing groceries to make my own lunch. Food is very good, a lot of meat - but good! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Took us to Paris in the end of October, great trip. Used excess funds from our tuition cost to cover the trip, so we only had to pay for attractions and some meals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Healthcare accessible through host family and own insurance. City is safe as long as you are smart and know to avoid dark mysterious alleys. |
| 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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Learn the Irish slang, you fit in much better :-). Since you have to juggle an internship and classes, you need to be able to organize your time well. |
