What's the Craic? Fun times in Dublin. Past Review
By Adrianne W (Cultural Anthropology, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/01/2012 to 12/21/2012 with
University College Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about different cultures and the locals. Dublin is a great place to travel to different areas in Europe. I also got practice meeting people (something I'm horrible at) and traveling on my own. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Schoolwork is not very different from UT, but different enough that you get the experience of a new culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorms are more like apartments, and there is no meal plan. You cook for yourself. |
| * Food: |
Food in Ireland in general is delicious because there are less preservatives. It really does make a difference. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was a little awkward at first, but there are plenty of icebreaker activities, and just hanging out in the local pubs will make you feel Irish in no time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Didn't have an experience with health care, but had some friends |
| * Safety: |
Campus was very safe. While Dublin is a big city and you should take normal big city precautions, like never walking around alone at night, I never felt unsafe while wandering around the city by myself. |
| 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) |
Dublin is an expensive city. You can definitely budget for food, but if you want to do some extra activities, be ready to spend a little. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't do big trips at the Centra on campus. If you're willing to do a little walking and bus riding, the Tesco in town will save you a lot of money with much better quality food. |
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? | Exchange |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't take a class they recommend called Ireland Uncovered. Not worth it. And try to plan some of your travel plans out before hand, but definitely leave some open weekends for traveling when you meet new friends. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
