Return to Ireland but not to this program Past Review
By Rose B (History and Literature, Harvard University) for
University of Galway: Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I really do not feel this was a worthwhile experience for me. I was lucky in that I had family and friends in the area who were able to make my abroad experience immensely rewarding, but the study abroad aspect seemed to me inadequate. In the future, when looking for study abroad, I will be sure to select a program that has more cultural opportunities.
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. |
The grading was difficult to navigate as we were not told what our grade was at all during the program. Evaluation was based on weekly oral exams with the instructor. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration of the program was relaxed but very friendly and helpful. Most administrators were able to answer any questions I had that came up. They seemed to have an extensive knowledge of American higher education as the large majority of students on the program were Americans. The program itself was small, about 60 students. However, classes, at least my class, were large (around 20 students). I found the size of my class to be a bit overwhelming because it was difficult to practice the language as much as I had wanted to in class. The range of abilities in my class was also very broad and I think the program could have benefited from having a more specific system of class assignment rather than self-placement in the class. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Although my host family was welcoming, there were 6 other students living in the house, so it was difficult to really engage with my hosts. All students in the house were American and had varying degrees of Irish, so we could only communicate in English. There were far too many students living in the house for the host family experience to be enriching in regards to language acquisition. |
| * Food: |
the diet was very meat-heavy, so be aware that if you are a vegetarian you need to give the program advanced warning. they were, however, once notified, very accommodating with dietary needs. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was very lucky to have been placed in a home with a wonderful host who happened to have grown up with my family. My host cared deeply about my experience in Ireland and arranged for me to be able to visit my family's ancestral home and to enjoy a local home concert.The highlight of my experience in Ireland was traveling with my roommate and my host to an almost abandoned island near where my family is from. We celebrated Mass with the community and then all enjoyed an outdoor feast. It was Irish hospitality at its finest and I am truly grateful for being able to witness it. However, I know this was not the case for everyone in the program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Carraroe is incredibly safe: security was almost a non-issue. Healthcare is limited, but available if necessary, mostly through the local pharmacy. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | n/a |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 1 semester |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced the language in class with my peers and with my instructor. I did not need to use the language everyday to interact with locals, but locals were very willing to let me try to speak Irish with them. Almost all of the population spoke English as well as Irish. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | This program has a lot of classroom time and very little else. If you learn well strictly in a classroom setting, then this might be a good fit, but if you're looking for an entire cultural immersion experience, perhaps look elsewhere. |
