Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Good craic! Past Review

By (Music., University of Puget Sound) - abroad from 01/07/2014 to 05/24/2014 with

University College Cork: Cork - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about Ireland and culture, and it was most definitely worth while. It wasn't exactly how I expected it, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing!

Review Photos

University College Cork: Cork - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo University College Cork: Cork - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo University College Cork: Cork - Direct Enrollment/Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The international staff at UCC was good, yet very busy.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Nice accommodations, yet not centrally located.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Very hard to meet local students. Take some classes NOT geared towards international students if you can.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Very safe city, friendly people.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30-40 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't buy all of your drinks in pubs!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* 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?
  • My Irish Folklore Class
  • The friendliness of the teachers
  • Friendly community in the city
* What could be improved?
  • Academic organization in general - exam schedules, registration
  • Music department - did not offer classes that I was expecting to take
  • Information about clubs/societies for international students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the music department here would not mesh with my requirements. I had to find a teacher on my own, and there aren't auditions. The website is very misleading. If you are looking to play in an orchestra and you are studying music, contact Cork Institute of Technology School of Music.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.