Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Memorable and awesome, but could have done better elsewhere. Past Review

By (English/Creative Writing, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/14/2013 to 03/01/2013 with

Trinity College - Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned a tremendous amount about my personal interests, how to live in a city, and walk long, long distances to save money. It was worthwhile, but not ideal.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Extremely disorganized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Horrible. Lived with Freshmen.

* Food:

Irish food is the worst.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Very.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Dublin is extremely expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150 euro or so.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat peanut butter.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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?
  • Traveling in Europe
  • Literature
  • Beer
* What could be improved?
  • Everything
  • Everything
  • Everything
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the school isn't as great as it's made out to be.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Irish Writing 1890-1945
Course Department: English
Instructor: Tom Walker
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was not challenging. The professor was excellent and knowledgeable, gave great lectures, but there was nothing difficult about the class. There was a discussion section, which was helpful, but the class was basic.
Credit Transfer Issues: No troubles.
Course Name/Rating:

Single Author: DH Lawrence
Course Department: English
Instructor: Tom Walker
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A little challenging, but only because the TA was so terrible and moody.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Contemp. Irish Fiction
Course Department: English
Instructor: Paul Delaney
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Excellent class. Take it.
Credit Transfer Issues: All set.
Course Name/Rating:

Other American Literatures
Course Department: English
Instructor: Malanie Otto
Instruction Language:
Comments: I've never been so bored in my entire life.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

The Book
Course Department: English
Instructor: Various Teachers
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Not bad. I wrote a really cool essay on the publishing history of Catcher in the Rye. Made the class worth it.
Credit Transfer Issues: