INTERSTUDY IRELAND: THE MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE TO DATE Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Studying at Trinity was actually a really easy transition. I studied history there, so it was similiarly taught to my home university. My professors were fantastic: they acknowledged that I didn't have the background information that most students had, but they didn't let me use it as an excuse. They expected the same quality of work from me that was expected of the other students. The grading scale took a bit to get used to, but once I had the general idea, it wasn't difficult to understand. The only issue I had was that everything was directed through the History Department Head, instead of the professors. For instance, if I needed an extension, I had to go to the Head of the department and ask him, and I didn't like that at all. I didn't fell like he'd really understand my circumstances. I also found it strange that papers were handed into the department instead of the teachers, but those were minor details.

On-site administration of your program

My program was very invovled in an uninvolved way. They were there at any hour, literally, but they didn't smother us. We were allowed to have our own experiences. Further more, every question I had was answered promptly, and if there were any problems, they were taken care of. Coleman was AMAZING!!! I didn't have any problems getting ahold of him if I needed anything, and nothing was too small for him to deal with. I honestly can't sing his praises enough. The same goes for the entire staff. They were amazing to work with.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Everyone who lived in my dorm spoke English, so there wasn't a language barrier. Our dorms were located on campus, so we didn't have to travel too far to get to classes, and it was convienently located in the middle of Dublin, so everything was in walking distance. There were minor issues we had with our dorms. For starters, there were four of us living there, off board, and we had a bar-fridge to sustain us all. That was a bit ridiculous. It was exchanged second term, but for the first term, it made buying food very difficult. There was also mold around the kitchen sink, which was more of a cleanliness issue. They were renovating our dorm the entire time we were there, so there was a constant array of construction workers outside our windows and then inside, when they were repairing the window in our kitchen. There was also a giant water stain/possible mold spot that they simply painted over. We also had problems with our stove first term and they didn't replace it until second term.

The food was good, but, due to our small fridge and little cabinets, we were restricted to what we could have. Most of us got creative, though. When the program took us out to eat, though, the food was fabulous!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Basically, if I could move to Ireland, I would, in a heartbeat. The Irish were so friendly and the entire culture was amazing. I loved the close connection to history and mythology that I found there. I made so many Irish friends and felt so at ease in Dublin and in the other places I visited. I felt like I could visit any place in Ireland and be fine there. Our trip to Killarney was simply amazing, particially because Killarney is stunning! Cork was fabulous, too, and going to the theatre and watching actual Irish plays being performed was fantastic. The experiences I had outside of the program were incredible, too, though. I went to Belfast with the History Society and Pompeii with the Classical Society, and both times I didn't know anyone who was going, and ended up befriending the group. I had two friends visit me and it was a very similar experience; we had fun just getting to know Ireland.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't think there was any problem with health issues through out program. That said, Trinity's health services are lacking somewhat. I went there with a fractured ankle (I learned this after my year abroad...) and ended up going to the physiotherapist, and she said it was simply a ruptured ligament and to do some stretches.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Select all that apply

• Dorm

Select all that apply

• International Students