Ireland: "That which you manifest is before you" Past Review
By Sarah H (PSYCHOLOGY., Presbyterian College) for
University College Cork: Cork - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained so much from studying abroad. For example, I know more about who I am as a person and of my abilities.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It is difficult to compare my home college with UCC because many aspects were set up differently than one another. For example, at my home university one has a major test about every three or four weeks and a final exam at the end of the semester. The classes that I took at UCC either had your entire grade based on your final exam or you had a paper and a final exam to make up your final grade. It was an adjustment but most teachers were helpful with preparing the students for the exams. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration was easy to get to and very helpful and efficient if one had a problem. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
When looking for housing, there was a choice between three or four different apartments. The apartment building that I chose was in a great location (5-10 minutes from campus and 10-15 minutes from the city centre), it was safe, and it had adequate space for all who lived in it. Cooking appliances, cups, bowls, furniture, and other items were already in the apartment. The only things that I had to buy when I got there was bedding, towels, and and internet cord. I suppose a downside to the apartment was that internet was not wireless so you had to be in your room to have internet. |
| * Food: |
As I mentioned above, my roommates and I did a lot of cooking in the apartment but when we did go out to eat there were a couple of restaurants that we go out to. We loved the Farmgate Cafe in the English Market. It was not very expensive and all of the food is really fresh and delicious. It was the place that we would take family when they came to visit. We also liked a restaurant called the Ketchup Grill. Ireland is known to have great beef and this place had some of the best hamburgers in Cork. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
One of the first trips that my friends and I did with UCC was a weekend trip to Western Cork. We didn't know at the time we signed up but a Monk had come on the trip as well. Having never been around a Monk, it was really fascinating to talk to him and learn about his lifestyle. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in my host city and didn't have an experience with using insurance for healthcare purposes. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | My roommates and I would usually spend less than a 150 euro for food for two weeks. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I think the only thing I wish I had known that I had to get was a ethernet cord. It was difficult to find the first few days of being in Cork. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A new environment can give you the opportunity to become the person you both want to become and knew you could always be. |
