Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning and growing in Cork, Ireland Past Review

By (Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/15/2017 to 05/10/2017 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 myself. My weaknesses, my strengths. How I act on my own. How good I am at taking care of myself. Overall it was an incredible journey in self-improvement.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

UCC offers engaging and fair course work for its international students.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The international office at UCC works very hard and efficiently to meet the needs of all incoming students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Fresh Irish comfort food was plentiful and nourishing. Cork has a great food scene, using local food from nearby farms.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

By the end of my time in Ireland, I knew the streets of Cork like the back of my hand. Very cool to feel so comfortable in a completely different country.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Overall Cork is a very safe place. I only witnessed one experience where the local garda made some arrests at the train station late at night. It was actually pretty cool.

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

If I were to study abroad again I would differently want to enroll directly again. Figuring it out on my own was very rewarding.

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)

Sometimes it would get a little tight, but overall I made due.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200-$275
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Learn how to cook for yourself!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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
  • Other
* 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?
  • Meeting other people from all over the world.
  • Creating friendships
  • Independence
* What could be improved?
  • I suppose it could be easier to transfer credits.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Save up more money before going abroad so you can travel more.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'