Choose Your Adventure - Study Abroad is What You Make of It Past Review
By A student (Cardinal Stritch University) - abroad from 08/30/2019 to 12/15/2019 with
St. Patrick's, Carlow College: Carlow - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
One of the biggest things I gained from my experience was confidence in my own abilities. Prior to this program, I had flown once in my life and had never traveled solo. Once in Ireland, I knew it was up to me to make this experience what I wanted it to be or to simply follow the dreams of those around me. I chose to pursue my dreams and make them reality, and I have absolutely no regrets about the time I spent as a solo traveler. I went to three countries on my own, made friends in each place I went, and had some of the most incredible and transformational experiences of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The coursework was challenging and beneficial. However, it was difficult to receive information on how I was doing in my classes. When I left at the end of the term, professors from three of my five classes had not yet graded any of my assignments. |
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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? |
Lennon House itself was quite nice and met my needs. However, it would have been great if the college had facilitated ways for all of the house residents to meet one another early in the term. Since most students were attending another college, it was difficult to meet them. |
| * Food: |
I cooked the majority of my own meals, but the few meals I had in the dining hall were nice. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The amount to which you become integrated in the local culture is largely dependent on how you spend your time and who you spend your time with. It took me quite a while to get integrated into the culture at the college itself, but I made friends very quickly with the community outside of the college. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had several experiences with healthcare during my program. The nurse at the college was very kind and helpful, and she sent me to a doctor when I needed care beyond her depth. However, my experience with the doctor could have been better. I received multiple prescriptions for cold medicine but did not understand what they were for and ended up inadvertently purchasing $50 worth of medications needlessly. At home, I would have received clearer instructions on what the prescriptions were for and what it would cost before I filled them. |
| * Safety: |
Carlow is a safe town, by and large. I almost always walked myself home late at night, and I felt reasonably safe in my own powers and the security of the town. If you are walking with someone else, so much the better. You will have no problems. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I encountered some challenges along the way, but every hurdle shaped my unique experience and made it what it was. I am grateful for the time I got to spend in Ireland at this program, all I learned, and all the ways it helped me grow. |
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) |
I was able to get by most weeks with spending $20 or less on my expenses when staying around Carlow. Budget more if you are travelling or plan to go out frequently. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $20. Sometimes more if I went shopping for clothes or souvenirs, more if I was travelling, and much less if I was just buying food to cook at home. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook your own meals as much as possible! If you can team up with a roommate or two and all take turns buying groceries and cooking, so much the better. Travelling was much more of a priority for me than going out in Carlow itself, and I was able to do a lot with a small budget by limiting what I spent on nights out. It really depends on your priorities for your experience. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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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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| 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 |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | It is 100% okay to do your own thing and choose your won path. Make friends, but don't lose sight of why you came. On a much more basic and practical level, I wish I would have known how to use public transportation! |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
