The best study abroad experience of my life Past Review
By Becky S (The Evergreen State College) - abroad from 07/04/2015 to 08/15/2015 with
New York University: Dublin - NYU Summer in Dublin
After participating in several study abroad programs in both high school and college, I can confidently say that NYU's Summer in Dublin was the best study abroad experience I've ever had. The program served as a great introduction to Ireland and Irish culture for people like me who had never been to Dublin, but never seemed to bore any of the other students who were more familiar with the country. The classes were just the right combination of challenging and fun, and the weekend trips were always an adventure. We traveled to the Irish countryside, Northern Ireland, and were based in Trinity College, Dublin; this array allowed me to feel in tune with Ireland in a way that I didn't think possible in such a short span of time. Best of all, the program directors gave us all the information we needed to feel confident roaming through Ireland, and were also very aware of all the little things that make study abroad that much more comfortable (things as simple as advice on culture immersion, restaurant recommendations, being very approachable and contactable, being conscious of bathroom breaks on long bus rides or snack/rest breaks on hikes, etc). Having just completed a study abroad program that was NOT run this way, I was very aware of how far the kindness and reliability of the program directors really went. I was very lucky to be a part of NYU Dublin the summer before my senior year; this program and its classes really influenced the path I wanted to take after I left college. 100% worthwhile and life changing.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The two courses I took were some of the best out of my entire college career. Would highly recommend taking the contemporary Irish literature class, because several Irish writers come in to speak to the class about our readings. This was an experience unlike any college course I'd taken before, and their visits offered a unique insight into not only literature and writing, but different aspects of Irish culture. Irish Lit also complimented my other course, Creative Writing, very well. NYU always gets someone very cool to teach their Creative Writing class for this program; I was taught by Claire Kilroy, and past students have been taught by Joseph O'Connor. Both courses were reading intensive, but if you utilize the long bus rides for the weekend trips, the workload shouldn't be unmanageable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartments at Trinity were very nice. The beds were comfy, the kitchen/living areas open and light, and the college offers a complimentary cleaning service made up of very nice Irish ladies who are always down for a nice chat if you happen to still be in the apartment. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Always carry bring your raincoat. Don't be fooled into thinking the umbrella is enough. It was be wet, but not always cold, so I wish I had brought more light sweaters and thin long sleeves. I got along fine without rain boots, but if I had brought them I would've worn them. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
