Dublin, Ireland by a Portuguese

Why did you choose to go to Dublin, Ireland?

I had been here before, and had a good time with the Irish people. I wanted to embrace their culture in a more profound way. Besides, I was gonna catch the St. Patricks Day, Independence Century comemoration, and Cheltenham Festival... I had to come here!

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

My scholarship was around 1000€ for 3 months, which is low for the Dublin Living Cost but I was ready, or at least I thought I was...

What is the student lifestyle like in Dublin?

Student lifestyle is great. Irish people real want you to feel good in their country, so you will find yourself having this strange and typical experiences with them, singing irish traditional songs, watching rugby or gaelic matches, betting on horses and so on. I even had a day-off because my supervisor wanted me to see the flag raising on the independence day... (So proud to be Irish she said) what a respectfull woman, as all irish women... strong and independent.

If you want to take days, nobody will raise waves. When its time to work, its time to work, but after the work is done, the party begins.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Dublin to other students?

Of course, I study on Dublin City University, which is huge compared to my university. This university has this beautifull Campus with all the facilities and activities that ressemble the American type Campus. Its not stressful at all. A lot of places to chill, in campus Starbucks, spar, bar, gym etc...

What is the food like?

The food and the weather is the only thing I can't express myself in a positive manner. I'm not a fan of Irish food, if the question was about Beer, I would write a page of how marvelous Beer they have, but food... I cook for myself, I'm too tired of salty food. But I won't refuse a fine Irish Steak.

At lunch i eat at school, but the food... "too plastic", so much and chicken I'm afraid of starting to lay eggs, and fish is something very rare. It's not "bad", but its not an experience to remember.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Dublin?

This is the main problem with Dublin now.

It's very hard to find accommodation. It took me 3 weeks to find an house due to the demand of housing in the city, and due to the fact I arrived at the middle of the semester. I recommend you to search with at least 2 months prior to your erasmus, and watch out for Scams or you will find yourself living with 18 people with 2 bathrooms (been there, done that, for 2 days).

How much does it cost to live in Dublin?

For housing it should be around 350-500 € month, the rest it depends on your lifestyle but you should at least spend 80-100€ per week. Go shopping on Lidl, my advice.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

I thought my English was very good. I perfomed C1 in the tests, but then... comes the accent. Be prepared, be brave, you will not get half of what they say for the first weeks. I found myself so lost in the first days. Asking for directions is a hard task, you may get even more lost, and when you thing you finally get a hang of it, comes a guy from Wexford, or Galway to mess with your mind again.

Just an example with Irish Names: Aofie, Sadhbh, Sean, Eoghan

Pronunciation: Ifa, Sadiv, Shaun, Owen

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Dublin from your city?

Ryanair.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Dublin?

• Diceys: for the prices and the Erasmus Experience.
• Dtwo: for the environmet.
• Copper Face Jacks: if you are in the "club" mood.
• Any Pub in temple or any other part of Dublin: for the Irish feeling.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Dublin?

Pubs, eat in a Pub while enjoying a marvelous Hop house.

If you are willing to go to a restaurant prepare your Euros, and I can't give you recommendations cause I don't eat outside my "confort zon€".

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Cliffs of Moher, Giant Causeway, Dun Laoghaire, Guinness storehouse, Dublin Castle, Galway (voted friendliest city in the world), Cork, Christ Church, Phoenix Park, howth... last but not least Temple Bar

.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Dublin in the future?

• Don't be afraid if some random guy talks to you on the street, picking on you. Is just their way of being, he is probably just curious on how handsome you look and wants to tell you half his life.
• Don't find strange if some old women/men completely wasted at 4 pm on the bus singing Irish traditional songs.
• Don't be upset if its allways raining, just go to a Pub.
• You can feel observed, but its just curiosity. They are one of the best people i've known so far and I will surely comeback for more.
• I've been adptoped by a strange family of 6 Irish guys and a Mexican, I've had magpies in my room, alarms firing in the noon. I've had nights I don't remember and some other I want to forget.
• I've seen Michael Collins and the wind that shakes the barley...
• I've seen the green of st Pattys, bet on horses and got lost on phoenix.
• My heart is becoming more Green everyday.

Óró sé do bheatha 'bhaile