Ireland: Cork - Undergraduate Courses

At first I was a little on the fence about studying abroad in Ireland, and was rather nervous about completely uprooting myself into a new setting. However, now I am unbelievably glad that I went! It was really one of the best experiences I have had. I traveled and study at UCC Cork, Ireland and I was honestly unprepared by the sheer amount of cultural richness and just downright fun the city had to offer! The town itself is the perfect size, not too small but also not too big. You can walk around the historic city-center and often run into someone you know. The architecture was amazing and the general atmosphere was simply so refreshing and new. And the people were awesome. Almost everyone is welcoming and helpful and during my first couple weeks I've never felt more comfortable simply walking around a town and asking people for help than I did in Cork. USAC was also extremely instrumental in getting everyone prepared and settled. They offered excursions to amazing sites in the area and really helped you get connected with the community! The university itself is awesome. It has some of the oldest buildings in Cork and feels as if you are walking around in a Harry Potter book. The other students are spectacular too, I've met so many new people who simply bring me in to their circle. There is certainly something for everyone at UCC and I would not have wanted to do it with any other program than USAC!

This experience was such a fun one for me that I would choose to do over and over again. it was a way of me actually getting out there and going outside my comfort zone. Since I also went to different countries it was so much fun to see all the cultural differences and to experience them all! This experience also gives you the freedom of traveling where you please. I was able to see so many countries I do not think I would have if I would not have gone on the trip. It also gives you good mature skills like budgeting because you are not allowed to work while in a different country being there for only a semester.

Studying abroad in Cork, Ireland was truly a life-changing experience for me. I had the absolute time of my life and managed to make lifelong friends along the way. It seemed like every week I was experiencing something new, and that was part of the reason why it felt like those five months flew by. I joined multiple clubs at UCC (University College Cork) and picked up new hobbies, such as climbing and olympic lifting. I found plenty of time to travel outside my host country to places like England, Spain, Netherlands, and Italy, while still staying on top of my academics back home in Ireland. It took me some time to adjust to my new surroundings, but I committed myself to putting energy into making friends with the people I traveled to Ireland with and with the Irish students I met through clubs and classes. My move to Cork couldn't have come at a better time, as my family life back home wasn't the best and was causing a lot of stress in my life. Getting away to Ireland for those five months really saved my mental health and gave me a brighter outlook on life. Truly, if I had studied abroad in Cork even a year earlier I would've seriously considered transferring to UCC full-time. I loved my host country and my experience there more than I can put into words. I'll be forever grateful to myself for making the choice to go and to my parents for making it possible.

I’ll remember the memories I made and the friends I met forever!! The field trips were amazing but I do wish we had some more time in some of the places. The course I took was “Folklore of Cork” with Shane LeHane and it one of my favorite courses and professors I’ve ever had. Cork is an amazing city and I wish I could have spent more time there! The housing was similar to the typical form were used to in the United States but probably could have been cleaned a little more upon arrival. But the location was great and easy to get places.

I had an absolutely incredible time in Ireland! Getting to be immersed in Cork, Ireland’s culture for 6 weeks was one of the best experiences of my life! I go to explore all over Ireland, explore Cork, and take some of the most interesting classes I have ever taken! I don’t regret going but I do regret having to leave after 6 weeks (although that was the program length for me). I wish I could have stayed longer because I had the best time and I miss it everyday… also the people who were in the program with me were the best!!

Studying abroad really was a once in a lifetime experience that I would encourage every undergraduate student to do! The new friends I made, cultures, and places I got to experience made me a more well rounded individual. I learned to try everything and be excited to do new things. There are people I met from all around the world during my program that I still keep in contact with today, some even on a day to day basis. If you do decide to study abroad, take advantage of all the opportunities to see new places! So, if you get the chance, study abroad!!

After having to plan and re-plan my study abroad trip several times during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding USAC was like seeing the light at the end of a tunnel. The advisors and staff made it so streamlined to join the program swiftly. Working with the USAC advisor provided me with so much relief and security that my study abroad experience was going to take off successfully (and it did!!). My USAC advisor provided me not only with so much information but so much confidence in myself to see things through. Every step in the process ensured I was on track with the country's requirements, my own scholarships, etc. I was fortunate to have such a stellar group along for the adventure too, which made me feel so at home in a new place. The academics offered through USAC too were phenomenal, and working alongside some of University College Cork's own instructors was an unforgettable experience of cultural immersion and sharing so many stories. I'm so grateful to have had such a positive experience with USAC's guidance and assistance along every step of the way!!

If you're not sure about studying abroad- just do it! I was scared to travel by myself to a strange country without anyone I knew but USAC Cork genuinely changed my life. The professors and classes were amazing, the city (and all of Ireland) is so culturally rich and welcoming, and the experience definitely helped me grow as a person. I met someone I consider one of my best friends, and I am looking at UCC for graduate school because I loved studying there so much. Outstanding program!
Also, if you are concerned about medical issues or a disability hampering your experience; I found the program very accommodating and caring to work with.