No Regrets, but Different Wishes Past Review
By Allyson Mollett (Berea College) - abroad from 09/02/2019 to 12/20/2019 with
University of Galway: Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Overall, I do not regret attending this program. It was not the extremely exciting and life-changing experience that some students report from study abroad experiences. It felt like a realistic experience. Ups and downs during and reflecting.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were extremely easy and relied solely on one, maybe two, grades. The final exam for most of my classes was the only grade, while two of my classes had one other project, such as a short paper or a group project. I stopped going to classes about halfway through the semester, because everything was online and attendance was not required. It was entirely possible for someone to not attend a single class, spend study week learning what is online, and doing just as well as someone who attended every class. This was overall a let down in regards to the academic experience of studying abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I did not engage with administration. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The on campus housing consisted of freshman and international students. While the physical accomodations were adequete, it was not ideal for older or more mature students. It hendered my ability and interest in making friends as interests and maturity levels were vastly different. It also prevented me from making many Irish friends as all of students that were compatible with me in age and interests were also international students. |
| * Food: |
Campus food was good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It felt easy to engage in the local culture, but making actual friends was a bit harder. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was able to visit the student services with no cost, and got my medicine at a relatively low cost. |
| * Safety: |
Campus was overall safe. The city felt safe and welcoming, but as with any place, there were locations and times of night that were a little concerning. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I feel this question is not as simple as yes or no. For the experience of being abroad for the cost, I would do it again. But for student life and academics, I am not sure. |
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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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? | Exchange |
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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| 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? | Ease of classes, save more money to find a way to spend time. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
