Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Ireland study abroad: Major in Animal Science, Minor in Guinness Past Review

By (Pre-veterinary, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/04/2012 to 12/21/2012 with

University College Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
As it was my first international experience, I enjoyed every moment of it. Loved meeting people from across the globe and learning about Irish culture and lifestyle.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not academically rigorous. Very different setup from Middlebury with larger university, some disorganization. Students not kept informed at all times and things came as a surprise.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Again, students not kept informed at all times and things came as a surprise. Otherwise people very friendly and helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My rating is high only because I became involved with a play at UCD, most of my American friends who I met studying at UCD were not integrated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

No experience with health care.

* Safety:

Felt safe living in the city center, travelling, at university.

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)

Ireland is expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? No

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

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Living in a city and off campus
  • Ability to travel over Europe
  • Chance to take specialized classes (non liberal arts)
* What could be improved?
  • Keeping students informed and prepared
  • Short time span!
  • Pre-vet study abroad was weak, when I arrived I soon switched to general Animal science
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Wish I was prepared for the cost and wish I had done more traveling toward the beginning of the semester.

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 Urbanite
A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Discovering Ireland: Landscape
Course Department: Archaeology
Instructor: Tadgh O'Keeffe
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Great for study abroad students, absolutely recommend
Credit Transfer Issues: Will not know until I receive grades back