Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Travel Without Home Past Review

By (Economics., St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 09/02/2013 to 12/21/2013 with

University College Dublin: Dublin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to travel and life as an independent adult. It was a maturing process. I learned about other cultures and the histories of the many places I traveled to in Europe. I learned many valuable lessons from living in a foreign country and how it is always important to be your best self. It was worthwhile, despite the incapabilities of St. Mary's College of Maryland's International Office .

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Rigor of exams was high. Not enough preparation given by professors or advisors. It was unclear what the syllabus was for the courses and grading system. Home University, SMCM, did a very inadequate job of explaining the weights of grades. There were very few resources to help students find a place to buy/ sell books for an affordable price.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

SMCM International Education Office severely inadequately prepared students for the UCD grading system and course credit transfers. The 2 meetings prior to going abroad were patronizing to students who have previously traveled. The acted as if the students have no common sense. All the while the advisors from the international office were unable to answer specific questions about their programs without referring students to a different person. We need better administration in the Office of International Education. They are a disgrace to students of St. Mary's who are truly passionate about traveling, but who can not afford to spend money on unnecessary costs. If SMCM wants to bring in more students and income, it should seriously reconsider how the office of International Education is run and who it is run by.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I ended up spending over a total of 300 euro more than students who chose on campus housing at the Belfield campus. I lived on Black Rock, a 40 minute walk away. The International Office provided no advise on what was available at each location. I lived in dorm- like conditions that were valued at a lower price than the on campus housing. However, I was still charged the full price. I feel that I deserve a refund from SMCM for the price that my housing was actually worth, not the price SMCM charged me.

* Food:

I cooked for myself. This was easy for me but it was a little costly, given the fees we were already paying to do the program and tuition. SMCM office of International Education failed to prepare students for this.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did an excellent job of joining clubs and making international friends. However, the Black Rock housing location was occupied mainly with other international students (a fact that the office of International Education failed to tell me, mainly because they are completely ignorant to the details of their own program).

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Dublin is an overall safe city. I felt safe walking around Black Rock and the UCD campus late at night. However, the Black Rock housing provided little to no security, unlike the 24-7 police patrol at the on campus housing. This is information the Office of International Education also failed to tell St. Mary's students.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

It was very costly to not live on campus because this implied paying for high bus tickets and taxis and a bike.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about 80 dollars at least
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shop for groceries in the city center. Make use of farmers markets. Lidl and Tesco brand are the cheapest.

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

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Traveling to other countries.
  • The International Club at UCD
  • The Clubs at UCD
* What could be improved?
  • More support from Advisors abroad at from St. Mary's
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How stupid the office of International Education at St. Mary's College of Maryland it. Various ways of saving money.