Program Reviews

Ireland has some of the most brilliant people. I recall aimlessly walking around Cork's City center during my first few weeks abroad and being approached by multiple Irishmen asking if I needed any help. No matter where you go in Ireland, the people are always more than willing to lend a helping hand. I quickly learned the Irish must have kindness imbedded in their genes, for they never failed to offer a warm smile or helping hand. The people made my experience.

I had always wanted to study abroad and also go to Ireland. I was able to do both of those at once and it was amazing. When first walking up to UCC, my thoughts were how beautiful it was and "Is my school a castle"? Walking up to campus everyday with passing through the castle are memories that I will never forget. I was able to create stronger friendships while at UCC and also test myself by having a very different teaching method. At my home university, the classrooms have no more than 25 people and busy work. At UCC, most of the classrooms were bigger and I was tested to study each night after class so that I could move the knowledge learned from my short term memory to my long term. This helped with the midterm and final exams. The green quad on campus, the buildings, and the numerous ways to get involved in the campus help create an amazing experience for the student. Definitely recommend!!

Studying abroad at the University College Cork was one of the best decisions I have made. I really felt welcomed as an international student. I met so many incredible people who are now some of my best friends. I still continue to talk to some of the other study abroad students as well as some of the local Irish students that I met while there. It was truly the opportunity of a lifetime. Not only did I have the opportunity to learn about Irish history and traditions in the classroom, but I was also able to immerse myself in modern Irish culture and experiences. Some of my favorite memories were exploring Ireland's beautiful mountains and coastlines. As beautiful as the rest of Ireland is, I think my favorite memories were made right in Cork. I loved exploring the city with new friends and meeting locals. I am truly grateful for this experience and I couldn't have gotten it anywhere else. I will definitely be back to visit in the near future. Not only did I study in this wonderful city, I built a life, made incredible memories, and met lifelong friends as well. If you are considering a study abroad program, definitely consider a program at UCC.

My semester in Ireland was nothing short of amazing. I took 4 courses, totaling 25 Irish Credits. My roommates were both other international students and Irish students. Every part of the experience here was just so inspiring and eye-opening. I feel completely in love with Cork City, where I spent countless hours having a great time with my friends! I was also able to travel Ireland as well as Europe. Some travel through Ireland was even a part of the Irish Archaeology course that I took! I will never forget all of the fun events happening around the UCC campus, the awesome English marketplace downtown, the endless amounts of Irish culture that I learned about, and of course the lasting friendships that I made. I was a student who almost didn't study abroad out of fear, and I am so incredibly proud that I went and learned and experienced all that I did!

My semester at UCC was absolutely the best semester of my life. I was beyond nervous to leave home and begin my new experience in Ireland, but it was the best decision I have ever made. The UCC campus is incredibly beautiful and the students are so welcoming. My classes were challenging and gave me new perspectives on my major. I made the most amazing friends and fell completely in love with Ireland.

Attending University College Cork was my first taste of life abroad. When arriving onto campus, my stomach was filled with butterflies of nervousness, but that quickly turned to excitement as I saw the beautiful scene that was UCC. The welcoming professors and encouraging Student Society helped to ease my mind. The academics were not as challenging as my home institution, but it was a different in the fact that there was big lectures and more than 25 people to a class. The location of UCC was an excellent bonus as it is situation right by the River Lee. Deciding to study abroad in Ireland was the best decision I have ever made and I highly recommend the University College Cork programs.

Attending UCC was the first experience that I have had living abroad. I think that choosing to study in Ireland, specifically Cork, was the best decision I could have made. Although I look at my experience abroad there are somethings that I wish could have been different. After attending UCC for 5 months, I can say that I never felt as though I was a true member of the student body throughout that time. I always felt a bit uncomfortable while I was walking on campus. I wish that the International Student Society would have helped me forge stronger bonds with other students and more Irish students. Academically I did not feel challenged in comparison to the courses that I take at my home University. There was no need for me to apply myself, I did minimal work and still received high honors. I truly did love my time abroad even though I have said some negative things. In hindsight I wish that I had been integrated into the campus and student life more.

UCC and the city of Cork are absolutely fabulous and a piece of my heart will live there forever. UCC is Ireland's University of the Year 2 years running so if that doesn't prove the high academic standards of the program, I'm not sure what will. The Irish Gaelic beginners course for international students is a must! Although everyone speaks English, it's still a great way to get more immersed in the traditional Irish culture. I highly recommend the Ring of Kerry trip that is advertised at orientation! It was one of my favorite weekend trips. Also, if you have the chance and are going for autumn semester, go 3 weeks early and participate in the Early Start Program. I took the Archeaology course and LOVED it. The field trips and instructor are great and that's where I met my main group of friends that I spent time and traveled with for the rest of the semester.

My semester at UCC was so much more than I could have imagined it would be (as cheesy as that sounds!). I knew that I would have an incredible time in Ireland. Going abroad was the opportunity to fly that I had been waiting so long for. But I never expected my actual university to have such an impact on this journey. The campus itself was beautiful. It filled my heart with happiness every time I went to class, and I was so appreciative of having the chance to study at such a great place. In my experience, instructors were very helpful and willing to talk, though the grading system and the way classes worked was much different than I had experienced before. There were incredible organizations through the school that were all very welcoming of international students, especially the International Society, which organized many events fro international students to bond with Irish residents. There were so many other clubs and societies that catered to all kinds of interests, providing something for everyone.

Cork is an incredible city, and I was so lucky to have chosen such a wonderful host city. It's small enough to explore, but there is always so much to do and it is impossible to get bored. Since it is a larger city (in relation to the rest of Ireland), there is a lot of access to transportation for getting around the whole country. I was able to take advantage of so many opportunities to see Ireland, and hoped around Europe a lot as well.

I would recommend Cork and UCC in a heartbeat to anyone who asked. I had the time of my life in Ireland, and would wish the same on anyone who takes the chance on it :)

Ireland was the best home away from home I could have ever asked for. I've learned more about myself in one short semester than I ever thought possible. I left with a full heart and this journey was such a blessing and truly an experience I will never forget. I often find myself missing Ireland! UCC was so accommodating and felt like a family. I got a chance to work on the UCC Event Team and they were so welcoming! Having the chance to work with them made my experience that much better. I also got to learn more about UCC while being able to work with the amazing faulty and staff of UCC. UCC is definitely student oriented! A few of my favorite clubs were the trampoline and mountaineering club!

The countless memories and the people who I made them with will always have a special place in my heart. Who knew that complete strangers would accept me, flaws and all, for who I am and become some of my best friends. Cheers to the people with whom I saw the world and the cities that captured a piece of my heart, it was grand! Let the craic never stop.