Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Ireland Exchange Experience May 12, 2023

By (Archeology, Berea College) - abroad from 01/05/2023 to 05/04/2023 with

University of Galway: Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about archaeology, about travel, about my relationships with people there and at home, and about cooking and budgeting food for myself. I think it was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses were mostly graded on by the final essay rather than effort and attendance throughout the term. That said, the final essays were rather challenging at times, and the expectations differed from what I was used to.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Food was something that we had to handle ourselves. There was not a meal plan, and we were shopping for out own meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was very difficult to get to know any Irish students. They typically went home over the weekend and were already in preestablished friend groups and not necessarily looking to get to know people in class. That being said, the people I would bump into in town were always very sociable and happy to talk to an international student. I did not frequent pubs, but I know that people were able to participate in local culture and with local people when engaging with people at the pub.

* 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

I really enjoyed the time I had while abroad, and I really enjoyed my classes. If I were to do it again, I think I would handle certain things differently but that was not a fault of the program.

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)

My budget was well put together.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It varied vastly by week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The cafeteria/ food court on campus is really expensive and not that good. It is more efficient to make your own food and simply go back to Corrib Village (if that is your housing) for lunch.

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My archaeology courses
  • Traveling across Ireland and seeing different sights
  • Galway city itself
* What could be improved?
  • making it clearer that it's hard to speak to Irish students
  • communication between financial aid and students while abroad
  • not putting all of the Berea students in the same flat, I think it would have encouraged us to branch out more if we had not been together
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known the people I was going to the same program with a little bit better. I do not think I would have been as lost those first few weeks if I had, and I think it would have saved some confusion. I think I also wish I'd known that a lot of the food is very different.

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 Linguist
You 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!