Learning Through an Adventure Past Review
By Vanessa Westen (Upper Iowa University) - abroad from 01/18/2017 to 05/15/2017 with
University of Limerick: Limerick - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained knowledge about a different side of the world! I know a lot about the Irish school system and how their society works. I was also able to become more independent. It was very worthwhile and I would do it all over again if I could!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The education was very good, it was very similar to my home university but gave me a different way to look at it. The lecturers knew their information and were passionate about what they were teaching. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My host country program was wonderful! They answered any questions I had and helped me through all the steps. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My housing was right on campus which made it very convenient. |
| * Food: |
The food abroad was very good and was very filling. |
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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 sprained ankle while I was abroad and the nurse on campus was very helpful. She ordered x-rays at the local hospital but when I got there, it took me three hours to get through the system. At home, it is more of a quick paced process. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Limerick and was never worried for my safety and well being. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program was very easy to work with and they were very helpful when I had any questions. |
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) |
It was very easy to live as a minimalist while on campus abroad. There was a full kitchen in the housing which gave the option of cooking your meals. The groceries were very inexpensive so all grocery trips were cheap as well. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $10-$50 with the occasional splurge of a shopping spree. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Even though it is so easy to go out to eat with your friends most nights, it is also a blast making a meal with your friends. Don't take all your money with you when you go out to the pubs, this will prevent you from spending too much money (and drinking too much as well). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I think I would have liked to know a better course list before going. I found out after the schedules were complete there was a list of courses set aside for abroad students. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
