ISA Dublin Fall 2014 Past Review

By (International politics, Virginia Wesleyan College) - abroad from 09/22/2014 to 12/21/2014 with

ISA Study Abroad in Dublin, Ireland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to live on my own and how to be responsible for what I did.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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 was responsible for providing and cooking my food, but my roommates and I shared that and had a home cooked meal every night.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* 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? About 200 a month.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget your trip before you go and try to stick to it! It helped me plan out my trips and fun things I could do!

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

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • The students in the program with me
  • The resident director.
  • Trips we took as a group
* What could be improved?
  • More trips around Dublin
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't focus too much on what you miss at home, life will be there when you get back.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'