Good time in Maynooth Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academics were not as in-depth or as rigorous as I would like, but the classes were interesting and the instructors for the most part were very helpful and eager to talk to students.

On-site administration of your program

There are some internet resources but you will do a lot of paper and pen work. Many of the internet services either don't work or are not kept up to date.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Private room with a shared kitchen, small but cozy. Some of the students like to drink and yell...a lot...outside of some of the buildings, and security and administration are not keen to do anything about it. Expect to see broken bottles around campus and town.

Irish food is bland and centered on fries/chips. Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Locals are friendly, you get out what you put in. Most of the Irish students are cliquish and have been in school for years together. I was able to make most of my friends among the other foreign students. Most people are glad to speak to you and answer questions - if you start a conversation and stay friendly you'll be amazed at how people open up.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I could not get an appointment, had to go off campus to a doctor that was a good enough provider. Nothing seems to be available locally, one doctor that I needed required a trip to Dublin, then a bus to another county. As long as you don't require anything that needs a specialist you'll be fine.

Very safe, but you rarely see police. Some crimes are not reported/reports aren't taken by the Garda because they don't want too many arrests to mess with their crime statistics (from a Garda officer). Aside from heavy drinking and shouting/breaking bottles I did not feel unsafe.

Maynooth was not an overly difficult program, and the access to Europe was great. I made many friends from all over Europe, and we traveled a lot across Ireland. The classes are interesting, and the Irish Cultural Heritage program was the best way to get access to a lot of travel and culture.

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

Laundry is expensive - I chose to wash clothes in my sink. If you cook and walk to the store money is not too much of a problem. I would spend $100 or so a week on travel, food, and assorted expenses.

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• Dorm
• Apartment

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• Local Students
• Americans

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Travel
• Cultural History classes

• Online/intranet system
• Lots of downtime for a visiting student

The Academic or Linguist