University of Limerick, Study Abroad Past Review
By Kristina S (Agribusiness, Marketing, Illinois State University) for
University of Limerick: Limerick - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was definitely worthwhile. The only thing I really wish would have been different is that there would have been more students from ISU on the trip
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Frustrating that all grades transfer when the grading system is so different. Most classes base the entire grade on maybe one test OR paper, and one final exam. Most professors were very helpful, but one was hard to get to answer questions or help clear up confusion with course material. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Fairly helpful and friendly, but really didn't have any interaction with them after the first day of orientation |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Really nice dorms/apartments! The only thing that was tough was almost all of the Irish kids go home every weekend, so it got a little lonely on the weekends |
| * Food: |
Food was good, but expensive. Had to either order grocery delivery or take the bus into town to get groceries |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Visiting tourist attractions was really fun, going out downtown, shopping, traveling to other countries |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Healthcare system wasn't computerized, so was much slower. The nurses were nice. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Varied by week. To get groceries, you either had to get them from the school store (open limited hours, overpriced, limited selection), or pay a bus or taxi to go into town. A lot of students want to go downtown every now and then, which is quite expensive, too. Some classes require books to be purchased, as well as lab materials. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Taxi/bus fees, cost of groceries (high!), lab materials (lab coat/goggles)-> I could have packed my own instead of having to purchase them |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
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?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Some who is independent (at least somewhat), willing to step outside of your comfort zone to approach new friends at times, can focus on schoolwork and balance that and fun |
