Erasmus Experience in Dublin, Ireland by Andréa

Why did you choose to go to Dublin, Ireland?

I chose Dublin because I already had been here once and I like the city.
Another thing is because the course here was more cheap than another places.

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

My English course is 6 months. You need have 3000 euros to get your student visa, but you nedd bring more money. I think if you bring about 4500/5000 euros you can live well in Dublin and maybe you don´t need to find a job so soon.

What is the student lifestyle like in Dublin?

The sudent lifestyle in Dublin is good. You can meet another students that can help you if you need. The school are good, but you need to effort to improve your english, if you are brazilian student like me, because there are so many brazilian students here and almost then don´t want to speak much english.

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

I can´t tell about the universities because I don´t know nothing about this. I only stay here to studying English. But I think that probably the universities are good.
But if the person is coming to study English I think there are another places better for this.

What is the food like?

The food isn´t bad. It´s normal. In fact I didn´t eat out so much. I always make my food. But you can find some good and cheaper places to eat if you want.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Dublin?

For me the worst thing in Dublin was find good accomodation to live. Almost accomodation is bad, dirty, full of people and expensive. The landlord explore a lot the people in the same place. It´s very stressfull to find accomodation.

How much does it cost to live in Dublin?

The cost to live in Dublin is not expensive. Something is expensive like the transport. But food in general is cheap.

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

The comunication with the native is easy because almost then are very gentle and help you. Some is more difficult to undestand because they have strong accent but in general is easy.

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

There are some low cost flights company and sometimes have a promotion that you can fly for another contry with very cheap ticket.

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

There are a lot of pubs in Dublin. In the Temple bar region have some goods places to go like Temple bar, The Quays.

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

I don´t know because when you are study in Dublin you don´t go out to eat. Almost the time you spend in pubs.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are some interesting places to visit in Dublin: Phoenix Park, St Patricks Cathedral, Guinness Factory, Kilmainham Gaol.

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

If they choose to come to study and live in Dublin just enjoy.