The greatest adventure of my life. Past Review
By A student (Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/17/2012 to 05/21/2012 with
University of Limerick: Limerick - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned so much during my time abroad. I grew so much as a person and I think that EVERY student should study abroad. It creates such well-rounded adults and it would be amazing for a university to produce graduates of this stature. Because of this experience, I am now interested in getting my Masters in Student Administration and working in an International Education Office. I would love to be a coordinator, because I love planning and organizing, and helping students. Without this experience, I would never have realized my true calling.
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 weren't extremely difficult, however, I did learn a lot about the subjects that I took. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The University of Limerick was exceptionally helpful and understanding to Study Abroad students and it helped make the experience even better. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My roommates were decent, but it didn't really matter because I had my own room and my own bathroom in Thomond Village and so I didn't have to see them if I didn't feel like it. |
| * Food: |
A lot of the places on campus close early, the grocery stores are far away, and nothing is convenient. The food was good, but I rate it low because of it's difficulty to aquire. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got a severe sinus infection and couldn't be seen at their health center for 5 days -- at which point my infection became increasingly worse. I was miserable and missed 2 weeks of class. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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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| * 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? | Probably around $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat at Stables -- go to Scholar's -- the food is not only cheaper, but enormously better |
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
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | Do something every weekend. Homesickness is worse when you are just sitting around -- it's so cheap to travel around Europe -- I should have jetted off to Paris one weekend! |
