API is Wonderful!

I studied at the University of Limerick in Limerick, Ireland through API in the Spring of 2012 and I couldn't have had a better experience. Limerick often has a reputation for being a dangerous city but this couldn't be further from the truth. The campus was lovely, the living accommodations were amazing, and the people were always incredibly friendly and helpful.

The apartment we lived in gave everyone their own bedroom and bathroom with a shared living room and kitchen. They were clean, spacious, and way better than any living accommodations I would find in the dorm rooms back home.

Our program director, Maria Cooney, was probably the best thing about my experience with API. We met with her once a week but, other than that, she was always just a phone call away whenever we needed her and did absolutely anything to make sure that we were happy and comfortable. From the moment our plane landed, she was right there to make us feel welcome and I could never thank her enough. She spent time showing us around the city, how to schedule our classes, and answered whatever million questions we may have had with patience and kindness.

The excursions that API took us on were also a highlight of the trip. They were well planned, fun, and a great way to spend the day/weekend. The trip to Paris and the trip to the Aran Islands were definitely two of my favorite. When originally looking at programs, I noticed that not all of them included trips and I was glad to have chosen API.

In the end, most programs always look too good to be true on their websites but I have to say that API was everything I imagined and more. Especially because of all of the one-on-one help from our program director. Some kids from other programs would tell us that their program didn't have anyone on-site and we would always laugh and say we couldn't imagine life without a Maria. Our group had a wonderful time on our trip and I attribute that, in large part, to choosing API.