Study Abroad Dublin

You must have heard about “Craic”, Guinness and St. Patrick’s Day in reference to Dublin or Ireland before. But you have to be here in the city to actually experience what these actually mean to the locals.

If you cannot make up your mind about your study abroad destination, here are a few reasons that will help you choose Dublin:

• The Thriving Art & Culture Scene: Ever heard of U2, The Chieftains and The Script? All these musical groups have their roots in Dublin – along with countless other names. Dublin is a city that greatly appreciates arts and artists, fostering the culture of live music, including encouraging street musicians that line the Henry Street and Grafton Street every other day. If you happen to be studying abroad in Dublin at the time of the Dublin Fringe Festival in September, be sure to not miss it.
• The Friendly Locals: Travelling to a foreign land to study for months at a time is not an easy thing to do. In fact, it can be quite difficult at first. But if you are planning to study abroad in Dublin, you’re in luck. The local folk here are extremely friendly and welcoming. They love to chat, make new friends and are very helpful.
• The Endless Castles: Coming to Dublin, you will soon come across (and fall in love with) the castles in the city. From the Dublin Castle in the heart of the city to the suburban sites in Malahide, Balbriggan, Dalkey, Swords and Dimnagh, you will very soon be impressed by the wonderful examples of ancient architecture in the country.
• The Stunning Mountain Views & Beaches: Walk around the Howth Head to enjoy the wonderful panoramic views that include the Wicklow and Mourne Moutains. Along with the mountainous terrain, the city is also home to beautiful beaches. Take a trip outside the city center and you will discover a number of absolutely gorgeous sandy stretches.
• The Irish Food: You will fall in love with the delicious cuisine in Dublin. Make a quick stop at Bibi’s for a delicious brunch. Green19 is another option if you are looking for cost-effective and delicious food. Cornucopia is the perfect option for those who love vegetarian food. If you are looking for cheap and high quality food items, take a ride to the village of Howth and check out their markets for delicious food items.

Living in Dublin

• Accommodation:  Living in Dublin, rent is probably going to be your biggest expense. The prices will vary according to the type of accommodation you select. The amount could be as low as €300 per month for a shared room or could go up to as high as €700 per month, for a modest, self-contained flat in the city. Campus hostels and accommodation facilities are on high demand because of their low cost.
• Food: The amount of money you spend on food will depend on how often you eat out, whether you buy ready to eat meals or make your meals yourself. On average, you might be spending somewhere between €70 and €100 per week on food items.
• Transport: You will need to figure out the transport system in the city as soon as you land here, to ensure you don’t end up stranded somewhere you have no idea about. On average, a journey by bus in Dublin would cost you €2.5 and will vary according to the number of fare stages you travel. To pay in cash, you have to give the exact amount of money, no change is given. Weekly and monthly bus passes are easily available and are a good option to save money for regular travel. You can get these at discounted prices if you get a Student TravelCard. Cycling is also a very common way to get around in the city, with specific lanes dedicated to cyclists.
• Socializing in Dublin: Being an international student, this is one of the main things you would want to (and should) do. Part of the study abroad experience revolves around how much you get to experience the local culture and traditions. Going out, spending time with friends and enjoying local entertainment options is not that expensive in the city. For instance, cinema tickets can cost you between €7 and €12. Nightclubs cover charge can vary between €7 and €15, depending on the kind of nightclub you intend to visit. A pint of beer in the city costs about €5 and a glass of wine can cost you around €6.

Universities in Dublin

This would be the one decision that would require the most of your decision making time and energy. Think in great detail about the kind of program you want to enroll in, the major you wish to go for and the locality in which you want your campus to be located. Making these small decisions beforehand can make your university admission and initial settlement process quite smooth.

• Dublin City University: Situated on 85-acres, the University offers a vibrant and complete student life and leisure facilities in addition to amazing academics. It has a total student population of around 11,500, out of which nearly 2,000 are non-Irish.
• Dublin Institute of Technology: The origins of this University date back to 1887 and the establishment of technical education in the country. It has continued to provide high quality education since then to a student body of more than 14,000 students, along with international students amounting up to around 4,000.
• University College Dublin: The UCD boasts notable alumni, since its founding nearly 150 years ago. The university is also accredited with having played a key role in the history of the modern Irish State. It currently has more than 3,000 international students.

The city is home to countless other universities as well, including the Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Griffith College Dublin, National College of Art and Design, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and so on. Research deep into educational institutes in the city and make an intelligent decision.