Since my other post got erased as I was posting it…I am now typing up a new one. Hopefully it will be just as good!

University of Limerick

Ireland has been a place that I have wanted to visit for as long as I can remember! I love the history and culture present in everyday life! The program I found that best suits me is the program by API (Academic Programs International). The website states, “The study abroad experience provides this unique and unsurpassed opportunity for personal growth, individual revelation and maturity, and the possibility to master a new language and develop a sense of confidence and personal accomplishment.” For Fall 2007 (September 2 - December 22, 2007), it costs $12,650. For Spring 2008 (January 20 - May 22, 2008 ), it costs $13,600. But if you stay at UL for the whole year, it is only $24,250. A benefit to taking the API route over any other is the things included in the program fee. When you pay the semester or year-long fee, it covers the tuition and official transcript, housing, medical and life insurance, excursions, social and cultural events, an on-site director, exercise facilities, pre-departure orientation, on-site orientation, airport reception, a mobile phone, a calling card, community service opportunities, student services, online services, and a post-program evaluation. One of the best parts about the University of Limerick is the fact that the school uses the “American” system in relation to credit hours so it is very easy to transfer credits from UL to USC. Some people might wonder why you would choose Limerick of the cities to study abroad in Ireland. Well, it has the UL Arena which is Ireland’s largest indoor sports complex! There are over 70 academic, social, and sports clubs offered and if you like hiking or biking, there are amazing trails nearby. It is also Ireland’s oldest chartered city so if you’re a history buff, you’ll fulfill your history quota for the year! Overall, I think that if I went with this program, I would be able to fully assimilate into the Irish culture and would be able to appreciate the history and way of life for Irish natives.

source: http://www.academicintl.com

Macquarie University, Sydney and the University of the South Pacific, Fiji

Australia is another place that I have always been interested in. What child didn’t get excited when they saw koalas and kangaroos? And the accents…everyone loves an Australian accent! The program I went with is through AIFS (American Institute For Foreign Study). This association is widely known for the study abroad programs that they offer. The website states, “With more than 40 years of experience, we have the resources and experience to provide what our students want and need in a study abroad program, and to safeguard their welfare around the globe.” The best part about this institute is that most of their campuses are taught in English so people like me, who don’t learn languages very quickly, are offered the same opportunities as others to travel to other countries. Fall or Spring semester fees (without airfare) will cost $14,995. With airfare, prices range from $16,035 to $16,475. But a benefit to this is that AIFS offers scholarships to help pay for tuition. If you choose to study abroad for an entire year, AIFS will reduce the fees by $1,000. The program fees include tuition, a 10-day Pacific Studies Program (spring only), housing, cultural actitivites, trips to the Great Barrier Reef (optional for spring semester, additional fees), public transportation pass for the bus and train, services of a pre-departure Student Advisory Center and an on-site Program Coordinator, pre-departure handbook, phone card on arrival, and round trip airfare if you chose to include that. The academic year is from July 2007 to June 2008 with the fall semester ending in December and the spring semester starting in February. Internships are available to those who are interested. One of the things that interested me was that they offer a unique Aboriginal and Australian Studies program. I love learning about different cultures and this would be an ideal place to study them. Housing is another benefit to this program. Students stay in the Macquarie University Village which was built to house Olympians from the 2000 Sydney games. Each townhouse has 5 bedrooms and two-stories! The townhouses also have a living, dining, and kitchen area and also a porch area. AIFS appears to offer an ideal program for studying abroad in Australia and has many benefits.

source: http://www.aifsabroad.com

University of Westminster

Since I only speak English, I am limited to which countries I would feel comfortable studying abroad in. But since I can’t study abroad in America, what other place is perfect for speaking English? That’s right. England. The University of Westminster is located in London. And in my opinion, there’s really no other way to experience England unless you’re staying in the heart of it. The city is full of history and that’s the point that sparked my initial interest in the University of Westminster. The program is offered by CIEE, the Council on International Educational Exchange. The website states that CIEE has two main goals: “to provide a rigorous and creative academic experience in London, and to provide a critical, in-depth appreciation of London through cultural and leisure activities.” It also states that they want to make study abroad students more than just tourists. They want students to experience the culture firsthand. Fall 2007 fees are $14,000. Spring 2008 fees are $15,700 and if you choose to stay a whole year, it will cost $25,300. Program fees include an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, a weekend trip out of England, pre-departure advising, insurance, and a host institution student card. The website doesn’t mention the dates for fall or spring semesters. This program also offers internships if participants are interested. The CIEE website has stories from past participants describing their time there and this was a selling point for me. It helps me out when I know that other people enjoyed this particular program. CIEE also offers a slide show featuring pictures of the campus. I like this because I somewhat know what to expect before I go over there.

source: http://ciee.org/participant.aspx

So…which one do I choose?

After researching the three programs, I find it hard to choose just one place to study abroad. Australia would be AMAZING and I’d love to go there. But I think if I had to choose just one program, it would be the one in Ireland. This is mainly because I am of Irish heritage and I would like to learn more about this country. Everything about it fascinates me. I love the celtic language and I would love to learn it. If I went to UL, I would have the option of staying in 1 of 5 villages on campus. Each one has a different vibe to it so I would have to look into those further when I start applying for study abroad programs. You may also stay off campus but since I’d be going to fully assimilate myself into the culture, I would prefer staying on campus. The university offers many activities so that I can get involved in student life. Activities include sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, dragon boating, high ropes course, archery and more. The student centre on campus has a bank, bookship, laundrette, foodstore, a pharmacy, snap printing, and more. They also offer a wide variety of places to eat, which was another benefit to UL! The University of Limerick Area offers many sport and fitness options. Inside there are pools, sports halls, cardio-fitness, an aerobic studio, a climbing wall, squash courts, indoor tracks, a wellness clinic, a health studio, and changing rooms. Outside there is astro-turf, an athletics track, an activity centre, pitches, and tennis courts. Sports are a huge part of Irish culture and the outdoor pitches and training areas cater to rugby, soccer, GAA, cricket, American football, softball, lacrosse players among others. If sports aren’t your thing, you can check out the art collections. UL is “home to the National Self-Portrait Collection and the Watercolour Society of Ireland Collection.” If you are more into music than art, you may be happy to find out that music is very prominany here and the university hosts the Irish World Music Centre and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. There is also a dance company is dancing is more your thing. If you happen to get lost, just find your way to a computer because the University of Limerick’s website has an interactive map of the whole university. “Each building is displayed along with information about the facilities inside.” Now that I’ve learned all of this about the University of Limerick, I just have to wait until the spring of 2009 when I can finally go!

source: http://www.ul.ie