Nothing forces you to accept and solidify yourself quite like leaving your mould behind. Past Review
By Rosemary B (Physics., Barnard College) for
University College Cork: Cork - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Definitely. I feel more comfortable in my own skin than I ever have before.
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. |
Wonderful. The math teaching was on par, etc. Cork City is a beautiful, old city. The houses are all painted different pastel colors, and they form a gorgeous quilt that goes up and down with the rolling hills. If you study abroad in Ireland, I'd suggest Cork city because a) it's small and friendly b) it's beautiful and old-school European c) it's not as international of a city as Dublin. The Cork accent is thick, and the Irish (and uniquely Cork) culture is heavily apparent in this city. It was definitely worth it, and I'm now considering going back to Ireland for graduate school. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They had many services, but I didn't avail myself of them very much. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very close to campus, not so close to the city center, but you can usually take the bus there, and it's easy to catch a taxi back. The water was cold in my apartment, but not in actual Corkonians' apartments, and it was MUCH more expensive than it should have been. College accommodation is always shifty in any country however... |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I hiked the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry. It was absolutely beautiful. I recommend hiking in Ireland for at least one day. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There were free health services for international students along with the regular students. There are cops everywhere (called Garda) but they don't have guns or tazers, and their relationship with the populace is generally friendly. Walking home at night can get creepy, but taxis are available around all of the pubs and clubs. |
| 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? | A lot. The exchange from Dollars to Euro is a killer. Be ready. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It's basically like moving in freshman year again. You have to rebuy all of the essentials because you couldn't take them with you on the plane. Alcohol is expensive, and unless you are a teetotaler, you will definitely be drinking in Ireland. I thought it was a stereotype that Irish drink a lot. That stereotype exists for a VERY good reason. On that note, do not ever try to keep up with the locals. Go your own pace, and be aware that the beer there is generally higher proof than beer in the U.S.A. |
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? | Get away from the other international students. If possible, choose a program that no one else in your school is doing. |
