Ireland) : Reviews (Dublin)

Grading was very different. Classes were challenging yet manageable with traveling and other activities. Not as important to go to lectures, since most power points are posted online. The location of UCD is right outside of the city center, so it gets expensive riding the bus every week and taking taxis. The campus is beautiful and a nice transition. Living on campus is much easier than living off, and an easy way to stay involved. Irish people are so incredibly friendly, easy to talk to, and inviting. I didn't get the opportunity to live with any Irish students, but met many and became acquaintances. Make conversation with taxi drivers and the locals and pubs, etc.! There are many opportunities through the International Student Society at UCD and also through personal endeavors for excursions and travel, usually very affordable!

Many other study abroad programs require students to attend American schools in their country. With this program, you get to study at University College Dublin, the largest school in the country. You take classes with Irish students and learn from Irish professors. The location is perfect, it is 4 miles south of the city centre and the city is easily accessible by bus. The locals are incredibly friendly, it is a huge part of their culture. You will not fail to meet many Irish people. An organization called International Students' Society takes foreign students on trips all around the country. They do one to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher, one all over the South of Ireland, multiple to Belfast and Northern Ireland, and an adventure trip to hike, rock climb and kayak in Donegal. Ireland is so small that you can drive from one end to the other in just three hours. This gives students the opportunity to see the entire country.

UCD is a very large University in Ireland so it was really nice having the benefits of a large school- such as a huge diversity of clubs and events that are held on campus. I would definitely recommend joining a few clubs to really get the most out of your study abroad experience and meet really awesome people!

UCD is a very international school- so unfortunately I feel like I did not fully get the best immersion into the culture on campus. My best interactions with locals were outside of Dublin and traveling around Ireland. The Irish people were all incredibly kind and fun to be around.