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National University of Ireland, Galway

117 reviews
4.12 / 5 based on 117 reviews
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hnichola
Middlebury College, Middlebury, United States
Literature, Undergraduate, Independent
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - My choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
I loved the independence of living in an apartment, though in the future I would try to look for accommodation further in advance of my arrival so that I could have had a better chance of finding Irish roommates.
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Personal assessment
Cost
Facilities
Location
Cleanliness
Space
Personal comments
I heard very bad things about the University accommodations, which is why I steered clear of there.
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hnichola
Middlebury College, Middlebury, United States
Literature, Undergraduate, Independent
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Activities
Nightlife
Travel
Overall
Personal comments
The Roisin Dubh (pub) had great atmosphere and music. I also loved Taps and the King's Head
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hnichola
Middlebury College, Middlebury, United States
Literature, Undergraduate, Independent
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Language difficulties
Social
Educational
Administrative / Institutional
Overall
Personal comments
Ireland is an English-speaking country, so I had no problems. I had a lot of fun learning Irish (Gaelic).
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hnichola
Middlebury College, Middlebury, United States
Literature, Undergraduate, Independent
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
I spent less on food and accommodation because it was less expensive in Galway than the room/board fee at my college. The nightlife was more expensive because there was more to do in Galway than Middlebury VT and I went out more. While in Europe I wanted to travel as much as possible, so clearly I spent more than I would have in the US. I spent a lot on calling home.
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Nightlife, Telephone, Travel, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Housing, Food:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand text books
Second-hand household items
Computers / Internet
Administrative
Money from home
Personal comments
none
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hnichola
Middlebury College, Middlebury, United States
Literature, Undergraduate, Independent
Overall
I wish I had known...
I wish I had understood that incorporatiing oneself into another culture is difficult when one is a student -- more so than if one is working.
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Academic reasons
4
Culture
4
Costs
2
Activities
3
Campus life
4
Party / people
4
Weather / location
3
Personal recommendation
It's one of the best in Ireland. It's large but very friendly.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
3
Traveled
3
Improved language skills
4
Met people from other countries
3
Became more independent
4
Partied a lot
4
Experienced a change in life
4
Advanced my studies & career
2
Final comments
Try as hard as possible to find Irish roommates upon arrival -- otherwise it is very easy to stick with only Americans.
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hnichola
Middlebury College, Middlebury, United States
Literature, Undergraduate, Independent
Academic
Course recommendations
Most of the classes are large lectures, and I would recommend taking seminars whenever possible. Avoid at all costs "Women in Contemporary Irish Society"!
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My academic experiences
Quality of courses
Variety of courses
Access to resources
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
The system is such that it demands a great deal of independent motivation (unlike colleges in the US) -- to get the most out of classes, one should read as much as possible.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams at end of course
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
Overall