Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Not at all what I expected Past Review

By (Truman State University) - abroad from 08/29/2016 to 12/17/2016 with

University of Limerick: Limerick - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how much I love to travel but I also learned how much I appreciate home as well.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The education experience wasn't overall bad. My grades came only from my finals and midterms. Classes are long and options for times classes are taken. Many of my classes related to Irish students .

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It took some time because I didn't know who to speak to but once I did they were able to help out.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing was quite nice being able to have my own room and bathroom. It was difficult when first arriving, but for the most part was quite nice.

* Food:

Arriving on campus food was the hardest thing to get. All cafes in campus are closed on the weekends and have strange hours and close very early like 4 pm. This left us with making a lot of our own meals which would require us to walk to the grocery story a few miles away. When first moving in being in a new country no one new how kr where to go to get food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was nice being able to have a roommate from Ireland where I was able to learn a lot more about the culture. I had noticed little things other times, but never felt like I got all that much of it.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did have one experience which I needed to see a doctor. It was quite easy and I could do it the day of I only had to pay a fee unlike back home. Getting ahold of medicine is a little bit harder because you can't just go to Walmart you have to go to an actual pharmacy and ask for something.

* Safety:

I always felt very safe at UL no matter what time of the day it was. Security is always driving around too. The same goes for the city as well. I felt comfortable going just about anywhere by myself.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

If I were to do t all over again I definitely would, but I would do t somewhere else. I didn't like the school itself there wasn't much to do around campus. The city was the same way. You really needed to travel to do things. I spent so many days doing absolutely nothing because there was such a minimal amount to do.

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)

It was pretty easy cost wise. The only thing that you would need extra money for was travel or shopping.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50-75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save as much as you can before you go! You're going to go through it faster than you think.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • Friends I made from the U.S.
  • Sleeping in
  • Bus system was easy
* What could be improved?
  • Food
  • Organization with international students. More help when arriving.
  • More ways to meet people.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about the school and the school system as well as the city.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.