Self Discovery in Ireland Past Review
By Ashley D (Sociology/Women's Studies, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) for
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse: Galway - National University of Ireland
I think I gained knowledge of myself and took the time away from the people influencing my life to reevaluate their role in my life, but other than my personal experiences I don't think studying abroad was really worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Considering we were expected to participate in activities on every day that school wasn't scheduled it was really frustrating that the assigned work for one class was so frequent. If you fell behind even for one day there was no coming back from it and it made me want to skip activiites because I had other things I wanted to do and didn't agree with all the things I was asked to be part of. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We didn't really have any exposure to their programming. I don't feel qualified to critique them on it so I will simply be neutral on this point. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was kind of disconcerting that when we arrived we were not with the people I had signed up to be with, but it was nice having an apartment with all the ammenities I needed to live. |
| * Food: |
THE SPUDHOUSE!!!!! GO THERE!!!! It was amazing... I loved all the food there. The fish and chip places (Called 'Chippies': I discovered) are everywhere and are fantastic. The food was a great part of the atmosphere of the trip. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I don't drink so my social interactions were very limited. I did like all the things planned for us though. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The professors knew where the doctor's offices and hospitals were at all times, but in terms of safety they were very lax. I didn't feel as if one of them in particular cared if the students were safe in favor of them having 'fun' and 'freedom'. On one occasion this professor was warned that the neighborhood we were in was not especially safe, but ignoring this warning and not sharing it with the group a girl ended up going missing for HOURS. The police were called and her family notified which could have been avoided if she had shared the news that the neighborhood was dangerous. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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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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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? | Don't do it unless you can handle being disregarded in favor of the professor's needs. They're selfish and they don't care. Go through a study abroad program where there are no professors from the local university and don't go for anything other than a semester program. |
