Program Reviews

Every Tuesday for over eight weeks during my study abroad, I went to work with kids in a local bi-lingual middle school. I would pull out as many as five to six and work with them more intimately on the subject for that hour. This was an amazing experience to add to my many memories of studying abroad. The exposure to knowledge and freer ways of thinking that the children have access to amazes me. I loved the opportunity to speak with them in English and correct their speaking mistakes. I also became very aware of how important it is for me as an educator to pronunciate effectively so they are able to hear the differences between our languages and the sounds of our letters. This made me realise the direction of my teaching career will focus more on ESL learning with people of all ages.

The best part of this experience was that I was able to learn about Cuba in a multi-faceted way. Firstly, the classes were very informative and taught by some of the top professors in Cuba. But I also learned just as much by living with my host-family, who were so nice, loving, and welcoming. We had many great conversations, and it's great to hear from as many people about growing up through Cuba's complex history. Our visits to places like the Pedagogical Institute were also incredible. The whole trip was balanced with plenty of learning and plenty of fun.

If I had to design my ideal study abroad program, the end result couldn't be better than this program in Cuba. This program brings together diverse, passionate students from around the nation and gives them an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in Cuban culture. Every day you will be challenged by your courses, professors, homestay families, Cuban friends, and US peers to rewire your brain and think differently about Cuba's unique societal structure, democracy, and US-Cuba relations. You will leave this program better understanding your place, personally and politically, as a global citizen. And- you'll do all of this while having the most fun time of your life! From dancing salsa and listening to Cuban jazz to spending lazy days on the beach, you will get a taste of what makes Cuban culture and people so vibrant.

This trip to Cuba was everything i dreamed of and more! My absolute favorite part was being able to stay with a host family, and truly grasp the Cuban experience. The families were very friendly and accommodating. Most people in the neighborhood are aware of the program and recognize the students, receiving them with open arms. I remember the last week of my program, the parents of one of my peers invited us over to have a small going-away gathering. We had a party on the roof and had music provided to us by our very own host-brothers. This is just one of the many gestures we experienced from the hosts families. This trip allowed me to experience the world in a different way; food, music, culture, history, and more. Cuba is a country that can offer you so much, you'd never want to leave! I know i sure didn't. And until this very day, i am counting down the days until i can once again meet with Cuba again.

Going on excursions to places that were actually interesting was the best part of our curriculum. We explored Volkswagen, Natura, and the markets. I really liked that we got to visit their version of the stock exchange. It' was a great balance of fun and education during the time. Because of this trip I'm planning on going back to Brazil again. Hopefully I can show my friends the same amazing things that I saw and more.

I studied abroad in Cuba the fall 2015 and it was one of the best experiences of my life. The program is far from perfect. Academically the program lacks structure and the tools necessary to assist students in understanding the information they are being provided. The program coordinators are amazing people although their communication skills need to be seriously improved. And for anyone who has not lived in a third world country prior to this experience, the living arrangements can be difficult to adjust to. With that said Cuba is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with genuinely pure and good people who will assist you in achieving the personal growth you desire. It is not a program for those with a weak sense of will power or with a weak stomach, however it is for those who desire a challenge and personal growth.

Studying Abroad in Ireland was always a dream of mine, and since I had never left the county before I wasn't too sure what to expect. Saying that NUIG and Galway as a whole exceeded my expectations is an understatement. The college is filled with knowledgable students and professors and everyone was so willing to help with any questions I could think of. The classes I took abroad were ones I looked into before hand, and were very interested in. For this reason I believe that I found my workload not to be too difficult. Galway is also an incredibly safe city. There was not a point in time where I felt genuinely uncomfortable or unsafe. There are also so many things to do. I was afraid that going to a smaller city wouldn't offer as many opportunities that I would like but boy was I wrong. Galway is a predominately college town, and there are so many things to do from hanging out in Eyre Square, to kayaking on the canal, finding a comedy club or your favorite night club. There was definitely never a dull moment in Galway.

One thing I was also interested in was traveling through Ireland and some of Europe. One of my favorite parts of Europe as a whole is how traveling is accessible. Anyone who has spent some time in Europe knows the love-hate relationship with Ryanair. Traveling throughout Ireland was something that was very easy. Since the country is so small, it is possible to travel north, south or east within a day. There are multiple bus companies that run through out the day, and ever better, ones that offer student discounts. One thing I must say is at the end of every trip, I was so grateful to head back to my home away from home.

The past 4 months I spent abroad have fundamentally changed who I am as a person, for the better. I was faced with many different obstacles while I was in Europe and I learned so much about myself while overcoming them. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity I had to study abroad in Galway and would not have changed it for the world. I have been saying that Galway has taken my heart, and I am currently looking at Post-Graduate programs that NUIG offers, with the aspiration of moving back. If you are currently a student who is looking for a town with a strong sense of community, that is undeniably in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. I urge you to look no further.

NUIG is a lovely campus. The professors are happy and eager to help with anything. There's many places to meet with friends or eat. The main parts of the campus are easy to find and get around. There are hundreds of clubs and societies to get involved in, and I personally love the film ones because you get free movies and food every week out of it. Clubs and socs are great ways to meet people, especially local Irish students. (It's a bit harder to meet Irish students when you are only studying for a semester, or are living with other international students, so if you want to meet more Irish students clubs and socs are the way to go! It's a quick and easy way to make fast friends, too.)

Galway itself is a beautiful city. I love the small-town feel it exudes that makes it seem cozy without being claustrophobic. It is really easy to figure everything out and find your way around the city. The live music in the pubs is great on nights out, and the people of Galway are the kindest and liveliest I've met. It's very comfortable here. Transport to airports is easy from the multiple bus stations, which is even better for the weekend travel plans across Europe! Galway is also one of the best spots for tourist attractions in Ireland. You've got Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands at your fingertips. I would highly recommend this program!

My experience studying abroad in Galway was an absolutely incredible one. I was challenged and changed in many different ways. From the very moment I arrived, I decided I never wanted to leave. Between the people, the music, the sights, the food, etc, the overall lifestyle/culture is one to never be forgotten and one to always be cherished and held close. I'm so grateful to myself and to those who supported/encouraged my decision to study abroad and I truly believe that at least for myself, I couldn't have chosen a better destination than Galway, Ireland. I'll say no more, for the very reason that everyone's experiences are different. And I don't want to attempt to claim what yours will be if you're considering it. That's a road you most definitely want to take yourself ;)

I didn’t know that when I was deciding where to study abroad, I would be making a decision that would change my life forever. I wasn’t sure exactly where I wanted to study abroad, but after some research and asking around, I realized that Ireland was the place for me. Once I heard how welcoming, friendly, and genuine the Irish were I knew it was exactly where I wanted to study. I just wasn’t sure what part of Ireland as there are many schools to decide between. I was first thinking of studying in Dublin since it is the most known county in Ireland, but after some more research and the help of SUNY Albany, I made the best decision of my life to study in County Galway.

While I was applying for this opportunity, I hadn’t heard previously heard of Galway and was questioning if it was the right place for me since I have never heard of it before. Within the first day of being in Galway, I knew that I had made the right decision of where I would be living for the next semester. I knew I was in the right place when I apologized for bumping into someone on the street and they replied with the biggest smile and said, “No bother, you’re grand”. That is just one small, everyday example how everyone in Ireland is just so happy and content.

Galway was the perfect place to study because it is a big enough town where there is PLENTY to do, but small enough where it is still a quaint town in Ireland with history and culture. Most people come out of studying abroad with friends for life that were fellow Americans also studying abroad, but by studying in Ireland I came out with American friends for life as well as Irish friends. I feel that I truly got the full Irish experience because I became friends with so many Irish people in my class because they are so welcoming, friendly, and there is no language barrier. By being friends with Irish students, I learned so much more about their traditions and culture than I could have ever imagined of learning in school or by myself.

I knew traveling to other parts of Europe was a big aspect of what I wanted to do while studying abroad but I was a little nervous that I would not make it to everywhere I wanted because Ireland is not connected to the rest of Europe. Fortunately, that was not a problem at all. I was able to travel on the weekends to numerous places in Europe with ease, such as: Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. I also met numerous students visiting Galway that were studying abroad in other popular European cities such as: Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Dublin and said numerous times that they genuinely wished they studied abroad in Galway.

Studying abroad has made me more independent, confident, and willing to try new things, but studying abroad in Ireland has made me have a different outlook on life. I left Ireland feeling so much happier and content with life. Before Ireland, I used to worry and panic over the smallest things in life that I shouldn’t think twice about. Now I have realized what is important in life and what is worth spending time on.

SUNY Albany was extremely helpful with providing check sheets to make sure I submitted all of the necessary paperwork, had everything I would need to pack, and what to expect when I actually arrived in Ireland. SUNY Albany was there to help through every step of the process even after I returned home to New York.

After looking back on this experience, I genuinely could not be any happier with my decision to study abroad, especially in Ireland. I can honestly say that Galway will always be a second home to me and I am counting down until the next time I can go back. Galway, Ireland has positively impacted my life forever and I cannot thank SUNY Albany enough for making this life-changing experience possible.