5 Things To Know Before Studying in Ireland

Want to study in Ireland? Ireland is a good choice for high quality higher education and has amassed quite a reputation for its brilliant student culture, local lifestyle, and quality education. In fact, its popularity can be gauged by the fact that it welcomes a great number of domestic and international students in its many universities all year around. Moreover, most of its universities perform well in international rankings so rest assured that your experiences will be highly fruitful.

Yet, you cannot decide your future just on what’s there on the university front. Going to a foreign university means going to a wholly different world. Everything changes as you move from your country to another, and it may become challenging to handle them smoothly. You must arm yourself with all the necessary knowledge to ensure that you know you want to be there. A few basics about Ireland, therefore, should be told to the readers just in case their mind is set on applying for Irish higher education.

So, here are 5 things about Ireland which every student should know before coming here.

1. Don’t act like a know-it-all when you come here
   Just because you have researched day and night about Ireland does not make you an expert. Irish culture is distinct just like yours and mine, and only those who have experienced it extensively are in the position to comment on it. Keep your knowledge to yourself and do not pass comments on politics, history, lifestyle, etc just because you think you know. Hang out with people and try understanding the culture from their eyes, not from the contents of the articles you have read. If you behave recklessly, you will surely end up being disliked.
2. Working during and after studies
   As an international student, you will be quite concerned about expenses. Working part-time during studies is very common among such students as the earnings help in relieving the financial burden. However, the option of part-time depends on the stipulations in the country of your choice. Ireland offers students the option to work part-time during studies but students can only work up to 20 hours a week during semesters and 40 hours a week during vacation. After studies, you can stay back on a study work visa that allows international students to undertake work opportunities for two years.
3. Universities to Choose in Ireland
   Well, of course, there are a number of options to consider. But, the best ones are hands down Trinity College Dublin and the University College Dublin. Both of these universities have fortified their place among the top 100s in the world and receive applications from all over the world. Other universities to consider include Dublin City University, National University of Ireland Galway, Maynooth University, and National College of Ireland. Most of the notable Irish universities are located in the capital city of Dublin, but whichever university you choose here, you will never have a shortage of experiences.
4. Expensive lifestyle
   Ireland is an expensive country to live in. Since the year 2012, prices have increased by a significant margin and it will be quite stressful to cope with finances if you are coming without a scholarship. On average, products and services are at least 25 percent more than their counterparts in the European Union. You will, therefore, have to tweak changes in your lifestyle. For example, consider getting a flatmate to slip bills with, dine in restaurants serving student discounts, and switch to groceries from junk. Cities such as Dublin which are central to the country’s economy will definitely cost more than others. So, prepare well.

   

5. Climatic conditions
   Overall, Ireland experiences a mild and humid climate, though it experiences unexpected rainfalls very often. However, the conditions are never on the extreme side which means the country can be visited anytime throughout the year. Locals say that the best weather conditions are on the southeast side, quite affably called the sunny southeast. So, you really do not have to make special arrangements for dealing with the Irish weather. But, note that the country is wetter than the United Kingdom so you should have necessary items in your inventory for the same.