Ireland: Keep Calm, It'll Be Grand Past Review

By (Nursing, Quinnipiac University) for

University College Cork: Cork - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was a lot less than at my home university but the grading system is really interesting and complicated to understand. We are graded out of 70 rather than a 100 which is hard to get used to because seeing a 60 is good here when it would be failing at my home university.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Mary was AMAZING! I loved her and she was always accessible and willing to help us or just talk. She absolutely loved hearing from us and genuinely cared about each and every one of us.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

We fed ourselves so we spent a lot of time at Tesco Express mostly to get food every week. Learned how to cook for ourselves.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I loved all of the tours that we did. We met an Irish girl, Ema, who has become one of our best friends.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

It was very safe and we never felt like we were in danger, even at night walking around.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Language

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The closeness to Europe - traveling
  • Got so close to other students from my home school
  • Gorgeous school
* What could be improved?
  • More equality in quality of apartments