Program Reviews

The number one thing I have gained this year was learning to only do and buy what makes me happy. This may seem so simple and easy, but I didn't know what this truly meant for me until I came to Ireland. Specifically when I went to Kinsale with a couple amazing friends, and purchased gold runners at a local thrift shop. The second I stepped into these marvelous clouds of comfort, and style my feet began to smile - have you ever felt your feet smile before? This small purchase changed my life! This seems ridiculous because they're just shoes, but they are the reason for my happy adventures :) They sparked what I will forever refer to as, "The Greatest Year of My Life"... So far ;).

Leave your expectations at home when coming to Ireland. I can't tell you how many of my expectations have been crushed this year!

If you are going to come for the whole year, and you're looking to really achieve personal growth I highly recommend not going home for the holidays. Go somewhere new and really unfamiliar. I WWOOFed on an organic farm in Portugal for about a week. I stayed with them over Christmas, and I got to experience my first holiday season away from home. I learned so much during that week. Things I don't believe I could have learnt if I wouldn't have taken on this personal challenge to stay abroad for the entire year. I'm not going to lie or sugarcoat this.. my experience on the farm was not what I wanted. It was actually the exact opposite of what I expected. I was suppose to stay for a month, but I felt so mistreated and unsafe that I knew I needed to return back to Ireland (The place I have come to label as being one of the safest European Countries).

Do things you wouldn't normally do! I got involved with the Art Society. I am the special events coordinator, and I have loved this part of my year so much.

Please don't focus the year on locking down an Irish person... It's not important and most likely not going to happen. Please, please don't focus your time on this. Just have fun! Enjoy your time here!! It's one of the greatest countries in the world. UCC is amazing as well! Cork is the best county in Ireland! Loads of craic to be had ;)

I go to college in a small town in Oregon and knew from the get-go that I wanted to study abroad in Ireland, and I'm so glad I chose UCC. My semester at UCC was an incredible experience I'll never forget. The staff was helpful, the professors were intelligent and engaging, and the student community was a great group and fun to be around. The city of Cork was just what I wanted--not as large and overwhelming as Dublin, but big enough to keep me endlessly entertained by the many unique shops that line its quaint alleys. The surrounding countryside was gorgeous, and I spent many weekends touring it. And of course the Irish as a whole are always accommodating and friendly! Although I'm back home now, I haven't said goodbye to Ireland for the last time. I hope to go again as soon as I get the chance.

I had a wonderful experience studying at UCC. All of my professors were fabulous and incredibly smart. I learned more the four classes I took than in my two years at my home university. I loved all of the real world application in my classes and the critical analysis in my coursework. I thought the structure of the classes were interesting because I never had any homework. I only had two papers, and two final assessments. I loved the culture with the students, and everyone was very welcoming. Cork is a great city to go to school in. The buildings on UCC campus are very nice.

Studying at UCC was the best experience of my life. Ireland is such an incredible country with amazing culture and a rich history. The campus is beautiful and Cork is a blast. I would absolutely do it again and I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about it. Anyone who studies at UCC will have their lives changed.

I can easily say the best semester I've had in college was when I attended UCC in the Fall of 2013. I miss it every single day. The classes, staff, campus, city (and country) are absolutely amazing. On a day to day basis, I would go to class, take solo trips around the city to make myself more familiar, and enjoy work outs at the Mardyke gym, which is absolutely beautiful. The Quad and main campus of UCC is in a prime location, just a short walk out of the city where there is access to anything you need from food to nightlife to transportation. Cork City is also full of traditional Irish customs, so it was great to be able to immerse myself in the culture. The Irish people are some of the most kind and talkative humans I have ever met, and they are more than willing to help out.

UCC is a fantastic university! Faculty and staff are very kind, supportive, and fun. Even after I returned to America I have been able to keep in touch with a few of my lecturers. Students are very kind and helpful as well. When I was alone at the Student Centre they would often sit with me and include me in conversation (this is a great way to make friends!).

The first two weeks at UCC were very well structured with the Failte Fest and Societies/Clubs Days. These events gave me the chance to meet Irish students and get a real feel for the campus. From there, I was able to pick the society I spent most of my time in and make so real, lasting friendships.

UCC is a great location to study at because it is a a major city in Ireland but also tucked away in the countryside so you get the best of both worlds. There is plenty to do in the surrounding areas, there are more transportation options, and you can easily enjoy the natural Irish countryside! Not to mention almost every person I met in Cork was incredibly kind and welcoming (so asking for directions was a great experience surprisingly!).

UCC is a great study abroad option. I took many classes that dove into Irish culture, history and politics. Ireland overall was the most beautiful country I have ever been too. I highly recommend UCC!

I attend Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City, and I chose to study in Cork after a friend of mine came back from UCC with rave reviews. I knew I wanted to study abroad in a small city after spending two and half years going to school in Manhattan, and I am so glad I did. While at times I was frustrated with the slow, Irish pace of things, that was a really important cultural learning experience for me. UCC is also a pretty diverse university, and in terms of student life there are always events on campus and the clubs & societies are super active. I joined the dance team, which was absolutely the highlight of my experience at UCC. I made amazing friends from Ireland, Brazil, France, Finland, and beyond. The Irish are exceedingly welcoming and friendly, and the Cork community was no exception. The pubs are great, the music is great, the shopping is great, IT'S ALL GREAT. Not to mention UCC's campus and the city of Cork in general are absolutely gorgeous.

The community culture of UCC was really lovely, the many student groups are super inclusive of visiting students and there's always a random film/show/event you feel welcome to attend, even if you're not a member of the society hosting it. I played with the Ultimate Frisbee teams, was part of a student book club, and spent a lot of time in the chaplaincy lounge--open to everyone, right on campus, and always a good group of students and sometimes professors having a lively chat about something. It was a really warm environment, and I made great Irish, American, and international friends there.

Spending a year abroad was wonderful, but my only regret is that I only spent one semester of it at UCC.
There was a very friendly orientation staff and I gained so many friends just from going around to different events, joining numerous clubs, and taking some time to hang out at the local grinds like the new bar and even the library. I always felt included, though after I made a few friends they were the ones I met up with the most anyway. I went to events such as the arts ball and participated in 'raise and give' week which were a blast, not to mention joining the volleyball team and the model united nations group for some differing stimulus here and there.

The teachers were also quite wonderful, not only for their naturally charming Irish jokes, but for the extent of confidence and sociability they had with their students. I had multiple who didn't mind grabbing tea together or who would ask about if anyone wanted to come out to a trad night. The only downside can be the walks between campus and your residence depending on your classes and where you end up living, but it becomes more manageable as you go on.

Most always locals are more than willing to tell you of good places to go for x, y, or z depending on your interests (they love to chat) and can point out tid bits they know about upcoming events. Overall, it was a warm, welcoming , and slightly sarcastic atmosphere that I came to love and call my home. If given the opportunity to go back, I would go in a heartbeat. :)