IFSA: National University of Ireland, Galway Partnership

Ireland is a place I have always wanted to visit and learn more about, but because my classes were in the middle of the day Monday-Friday, it was difficult to see more of the country. I also wish they explained the bus system more before the start of the program and the most reliable buses we should use.
I believe that the location was perfect to truly experience the heart of Ireland. This helped show me that I want to work in a global-oriented organization once I graduate college.

Make a plan for how to spend your weekends in Ireland, but don't be afraid to just wing it in a city. Just walking around and exploring the cities was a lot more fun that planning every moment down to a tee.

I absolutely adore this program because we had on-site staff that was always available to use. Suzie was an immense help even when some of the school staff wasn't flexible. I had the most amazing time in Galway, Ireland and consider it my second home now. I plan on moving to Dublin, Ireland to get my masters in Education because I fell in love with Ireland. I took the summer courses which were all about art and literature of Ireland and I left like it was very helpful when I went on tours because I knew the background information about what I was touring. This town was very active and friendly and I felt safe the entire time. Quickly making friends here from girls around the states was really easy and we all mainly went and traveled all over Ireland every weekend. Loved the professors because they are so passionate and knowledgeable about their subject and came with us on some of the school mandated trips. Loved this program and wish I could have stayed longer!

IFSA-Butler's program to Galway was an absolute dream. The experience in Galway was beyond stellar: the location and the program were perfect fits for me. I'm not a huge fan of big cities, and Galway was the coziest and happiest place to walk around and feel safe, regardless if it were 11 AM or 3 AM walking back from the bar. The housing was in a small neighborhood that was mixed internationalities, and I made friends with some of the best Irish souls there. Galway itself is gorgeous, and NUIG was a great asset to the experience. While some of the English classes I took were a smite bit overkill, the language program was fantastic- if you're interested in learning Irish, go here!! And finally, the IFSA-Butler program opened a lot of doors to experience Ireland outside of Galway. They planned trips to Northern Ireland (I loved Belfast), adventure parks in Connemara, and especially Dublin for orentiation for when we first arrived. The staff always went above & beyond for support whenever we needed it.

LOOK NO FURTHER. THIS IS THE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM YOU WANT I'M NOT KIDDING OK!!!!!! IT'S THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME. I MET SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM AND GALWAY IS THE GREATEST PLACE I'VE EVER BEEN. IF A CITY COULD SPEAK, GALWAY WOULD SAY, "LOOK NO FURTHER, YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT HERE AND THE PEOPLE ARE GREAT AND EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL AND NOTHING ELSE MATTERS".

The people of Galway and specifically the students at NUIG know how to have a good time, but I don't even know where to start when it comes to IFSA Butler Ireland. The program advisers, the location, the weekend trips... I remember when I was looking at study abroad programs. I went to DePaul University in Chicago, and when it came to studying abroad, the only thing I knew was that I wanted to go to Ireland. I sifted through so many programs before I decided on IFSA Butler Ireland at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

IFSA had everything I was looking for: campus housing rather than a home-stay, an orientation to help students get comfortable in a new city, and a very committed on-site program staff to help with any kind of concern or question. I met some of my best friends through this program which sounds so dumb, and you might not have the same experience with the people in your program, but I have never felt so at home with people I had just met as I did when I was in Galway. I owe every single moment of joy that I felt on my study abroad trip to IFSA Butler.

I AM A BETTER PERSON BECAUSE I WENT TO GALWAY AND BECAUSE I WENT THROUGH IFSA BUTLER TO DO IT.

10/10 STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM. WOULD RECOMMEND TO ANYONE WHO'S LOOKING FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE, FUN, EXCITING, FLIRTY, COOL, AND ALL AROUND LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE.

I had an amazing adventure in Galway with IFSA Butler. I felt well taken care of and Ireland was a perfect place for me to be. Even though I traveled extensively throughout Ireland, I was always glad to be home in Galway. The staff were so friendly and helpful and the adventures together were always fun. A great choice!!