Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It was excellent. Past Review

By (The College of William and Mary) - abroad from 06/24/2012 to 07/20/2012 with

University of Galway: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was very worthwhile. Being in a different culture, even though it is still a Western culture, makes you reevaluate your own culture in a healthy way.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50-70 Euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use your judgement. Know how much money you have and keep to a budget.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? None

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The professors were wonderful and I feel like I learned a lot in 4 weeks.
  • Galway is a beautiful city and Ireland is beautiful as well and exploring the west was great.
  • The culture was a lot more easy-going than America and it was a nice change of pace.
* What could be improved?
  • The leadership in the program tended to be less informed and less communicative than would have been ideal.
  • I would have liked to stay longer partially so we could have had a full summer session involving Irish students.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing