My home away from home Past Review

By Clancy C (History, Le Moyne College) - abroad from 08/01/2013 to 06/01/2015 with

Mary Immaculate College: Limerick - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Ireland gave me a once in a lifetime experience that broadened my view of the world exponentially. It opened my eyes to a new culture and welcomed me with open arms. My experience with higher education in Ireland has left me yearning for more, and hoping to return for research.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Testing style is slightly different for some backgrounds, but overall it was a great learning experience with amazing support from instructors and staff.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Holly Cowman and her staff execute their work with precision and grace. I have known few who care so much about every person that walks into their office, but the Mary Immaculate International Office continued to be available even during stressful time periods. Their support was the only reason I was able to further my education through the institution, and their personal support made my stay in Ireland remarkable!
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My wife, dog, and I lived appx. 3.5mi from the school. I walked when the weather permitted, and at times when it tried not to. The typical student was located much closer, but exposed to the typical experiences one would expect from city life. We were given relief of these rigors thanks to our proximity to downtown.
* Food:	INCREDIBLE! Irish cuisine is absolutely magnificent as all their meat is raised free range giving it individual and intense flavoring. Meals are easy to budget with the butchers just around every corner, and the 'shops' can be found, with minimal effort, to be priced similarly for items as in a typical US supermarket.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Irish hospitality is second to none I have ever experienced in my 31 years. I have traveled to many places, and the native and visiting public I encountered were, without exception, the most welcoming.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Having to use the medical services in Ireland without insurance, I found the health care system to be incredibly reasonable, with regard to price.
* Safety:	As with any city, being a visitor carries its own risks. Limerick City was not without its incidents, but during my extended stay and extensive travel by foot I personally never had any issues. Many curiosities, but never the feeling of danger due to environment.
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)	My wife and I had a monthly budget that approximately accounted for: Food- 150-175 Rent- 300 Transportation- 40-50 (used very sparingly) This would be an approximate 'bare minimum' that we would need each month.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	we budgeted monthly as shown above.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Remember that eating is essential. It is all to easy to be a tourist and forget that their are still 20 days left in the month.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	FRE-II
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	USE IT EVERYDAY, force yourself to converse in it and try your best to surround yourself with those that speak it fluently. This was very easy to do at MIC as many language pockets can be found walking the halls.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university?	Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Other N/A
* 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?	Small class sizes Aproachablity of instructors Times of classes
* What could be improved?	Transportation n/a n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Having traveled to Europe before I was fairly prepared, however the flavor changes in the food was quite intense at first, and took some getting used to.

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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Irish and European History
Course Department:	History
Instructor:	Deirdre McMahon
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The course and instructor gave numerous challenges that allowed for a greater understanding of how to view history in a bigger framework. We had a field trip to the National Archives and Library, Dublin that re-instilled my vigor for historical research.
Credit Transfer Issues:	MIC is under University Limerick, which is styled after US colleges. Therefor my credits and grades are given in gpa format along with the European format.