An amazing experience - Ireland Past Review
By A student (University of New Mexico) - abroad from 06/30/2016 to 07/15/2016 with
Ireland Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I learned a lot about the Irish culture, and the way many social welfare programs are inspiring a positive change in the communities they serve.
Review Photos
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. |
This is class is unlike most classes you will take throughout college, because it is hands on learning and you receive credit by experiencing the Irish culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration at Mary I was very helpful, and created a good itinerary for us students to follow and experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The accommodations for the majority of the trip were very comfortable. You receive your own private room with a private but shared bathroom at the end of each hall. |
| * Food: |
Some meals are provided for you and others you will purchase on your own, but there are many options to choose from throughout town. Unfortunately there isn't a lot of options near the dorms. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The class facilitates a lot of interaction between you and the locals, but it is also important to be outgoing and ask whatever questions you may have of the local culture as well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally had no health concerns during the course of the trip, but I feel if I had I would have been able to communicate that with the administration of the college. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe when I was with the group and also when I was walking around alone. It is of course just important to stay aware of your surroundings because you will be walking through good and worse neighborhoods. |
| 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) |
I would recommend saving and bringing extra money because you do not want your experience to suffer because of a lack of funds. You will have to pay for some of your meals throughout the trip and don't forget beer money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
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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| 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? | Nothing is ever as it seems. You must experience life in order to really gain any level of understanding. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
