SFA Theatre in Ireland is amazing! Past Review
By A student (Theatre, Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 06/08/2014 to 06/25/2014 with
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Traveling - International Lifestyle, Culture and History
We take a lot of things for granted-such as bottled water without an expiration date. Generally, though, I have fallen even more deeply in love with all things Irish since this trip. The music, art, food, entire culture was simply incredible!
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. |
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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? |
Trinity college was a perfect place to stay, centrally located to everything we did/could've wanted to do in Dublin! The B&B that we stayed at in Galway, College Crest, was absolutely beautiful and the staff was so friendly! They took such good care of us there! It made my first trip out of the country much easier and enjoyable! |
| * Food: |
I am still craving the foods we had while in Ireland! I want fish and chips everyday, but even their coffee, gelato, and lasagna are missed! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was hard to not feel socially integrated because everyone was so friendly and they absolutely loved teaching people about their beautiful country as its history. They wanted everyone to be as in love with Ireland as they clearly were. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never ended up having to see a doctor, but I pretty much self diagnosed myself with bronchitis and an ear infection, as I've had both many many times and could tell it was what I had. Out faculty sponsor's wife, Sue, took wonderful care of me and had an abundance of medicines and remedies up her sleeve, in case we ran out or didn't think to bring any. I did have to go to a few different pharmacies to find someone who knew what I was saying I needed. Their products are different from ours so you have to know what you're looking for. |
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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) |
It's expensive, depending on the exchange rate. You don't have to shop, but I spent lots of money touring castles and going to museums and galleries and plays at fancy theatres, as well as trying lots of new foods. You get out of it what you put into it. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $500 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Share meals! They're big enough! Look for deals! They exist! Do research before you leave the US. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | The exchange rate can really screw up your bank account if you rely solely on your card. Generally, your bank will charge you an international transaction fee. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
