Great Experience Past Review
By A student (Biology, General., St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 01/14/2013 to 05/16/2013 with
University College Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
You learn how to experience the world from a new point of view. It's a reminder to be open minded and flexible, because you're constantly facing new ideas and new challenges. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Faculty are extremely knowledgeable and the coursework is generally interesting. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Study abroad staff are very friendly and help make you feel very comfortable right from the start. They make the study abroad experience very easy. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was convenient and was brand new upon our arrival. Maintenance always responded quickly to any requests. Hosting guests however is extremely difficult because of school regulations. |
| * Food: |
I was always satisfied with meals. Much better than what people probably tell you about Ireland. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It takes a little effort, but if you go out of your way to make Irish friends, it will enhance your experience so much. The big university setting makes getting to know people a challenge though. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no issues but everyone who did was properly cared for. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt in danger in Dublin or on campus. The campus is locked up at night and is very secure. |
| 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 fairly expensive, but definitely doable. Main expenses were food and travel. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75-100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find inexpensive grocery stores to shop at and cook for yourself as often as possible. |
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
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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? | Join clubs or find other ways to make Irish friends as early as you can. You learn more from them than from any of your classes in many ways. They can also show you all the best places to go and fun things to do so that you don't waste any of your limited time. |
