Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Living in the Most Welcoming City Past Review

By (Saint Leo University) - abroad from 09/03/2018 to 12/22/2018 with

ISA Study Abroad in Galway, Ireland

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Independence and new life lessons. It was definitely worthwhile to learn about myself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was hard as far as being in classes where the grade was based on as little as just the final. However, the content itself was comparable to here. Also, only a 70% is needed for an A+.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were great, organized, and communicated effectively.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Didn't like sharing a room

* Food:

Food was bland in general unless you go out of your way to get something good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Only because I went on all the program excursions and got out a lot.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There was a free Doctor on campus, just a long wait to see them.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Yes, there is so much to do in Galway and so many places in Ireland I still want to see.

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)

You just have to be smart about buying groceries and budgeting for going out/personal expenses.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? There are budget grocery stores if you walk further, so don't be lazy.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* 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?
  • Location
  • Culture
* What could be improved?
  • Meeting locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You really have to go out there and meet people, don't sit around doing nothing and expect to make friends.

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.'