Cork: A Class of Its Own Past Review

By Ed M (Anthropology, Seton Hall University) for

University College Cork: Cork - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It definitely helped me mature further as an independent individual, and both the social and educational aspects proved rewarding. Although I have lived overseas before, this experience furthered my understanding of the American identity, language identity, and many aspects of Irish life.

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.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Always available to talk for any issue that arises, and didn't overly guide us through our semester, ensuring us to truly develop on our own. However, he was always there if we ever needed anything, and was amazing, overall.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Roommates and their friends were some of the kindest people I have met. Overall, housing arrangement was great.
* Food:	Campus food in the cafe's for a sandwich is always a great choice, or can eat in the main cafeteria. Kebab shops in town and around are top notch, Chinese food was good, pubs are a great alternative in town for a meal within budget. Many of the restaurants in Cork can be a little expensive. The Cafe in the English Market is great for an afternoon tea/late lunch.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Trips I took out to Preghane in Kinsale and relaxing along the coast was probably one of the greatest experiences, just kicking back and relaxing on a quiet afternoon. Also, hanging around Fitzgerald Park on a quiet afternoon was great as well. Trip to Killarney organized by the Program was special, and the general nightlife and hanging around with friends was great.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	If you look for trouble, you'll find it. However, if you don't, then you won't. Especially on the southside of the city around UCC campus and in the City Centre. It's safer than my home institution area by a long shot, and overall was extremely safe.
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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Cork is a great choice: while there is not as much major things to do in Cork than in Dublin, or tourist sites to see, including Museums, Cork is a far nicer place to live. There is a little bit of everything in Cork, and it does not take long to get around town if one chooses to walk. Cork serves as a great vantage point for exploring Southern and Southwestern Ireland, including Co. Kerry and Co. Clare.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Geography and Imagination in the Middle Ages
Course Department:	History - HI2017
Instructor:	Dr. Diarmuid Scully
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Amazing course, and amazing instruction. No field trips. Dr. Scully made an active attempt to involve the class, gave plenty of warning and direction over exams and exam papers, and was well prepared. I participated about the same amount as my home institution
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Race, Ethnicity, and Migration
Course Department:	Sociology - SC2012
Instructor:	Dr. McNamara and Dr. Bekele
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Insightful course, no field trips or field work required. Gave a good overview of migration studies within Sociology. Both professors were well prepared. Class was lecture based, minimal participation.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Aspects of Irish Folklore
Course Department:	Folklore - 2111S
Instructor:	Dr. Margaret Humphreys
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Great course, lecture based. Provided an overview on Folklore and Folklore studies within Ireland, including its historical components. Professor was well prepared and amiable, and as with the other courses, always available to meet after for a chat.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Celtic Literature
Course Department:	Celtic Civilisation - CC1113
Instructor:	Dr. Kevin Murray and Dr. Brent Miles
Instruction Language:	English and Irish terminology
Comments:	Amazing course, provided both an overview and indepth view into Irish Mythology, and focused both on individual myths and manuscripts, and them as a part of the larger tradition
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	The Sociology of Religion and Civilization
Course Department:	Sociology - SC3009
Instructor:	Dr. Arpad Szakolczai
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Great Course, Participation minimal as lecture based, but none was really required. Well taught, professors well prepared, and very understanding.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Trad and Blues: Musical Traditions and Cultural Contexts
Course Department:	Folklore - FL 3010
Instructor:	Dr. Marie-Annick Desplanques
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Amazing course, one of my favourite. Fieldwork served as a central aspect of the course. For the first time the course has been taught, I thought it was taught well and the professor was well prepared. Her teaching style may not be for everyone, and for the study abroad students who did not have a background in the Social Sciences, there was added difficulty. Professor was always available for a meeting, and very understanding. One of my favourite courses that semester.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No