Erasmus Experience in Maynooth, Ireland by Noémie

Why did you choose to go to Maynooth, Ireland?

I really wanted to travel and improve my English. Maynooth looked like for me the best choice because it's not so far for Dublin (30 minutes by train) and it's a little cute city.

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

So I received money from the French state and only with the french system so it depends.

What is the student lifestyle like in Maynooth?

Irish guys are really friendly. They always want to help you and that is really good. However, that is a huge point for me, Maynooth is not partying a lot, I mean there are not really night club and it's close really early (2 or 3 am)

So if you want partying you have to begin early.

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

Yes. It's really really cute friendly and there are a lot of clubs and societies in the uni which helps a lot to have a lot of friends!

What is the food like?

The food is good, they love soup and eat fries and potatoes with everything.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Maynooth?

It was really really hard to find a place in Maynooth and more than that it's really expensive. You have to take care of it really early!

More of my friend have to find a place in another city next to Maynooth. I'm really lucky to find a place in Maynooth. It's because Maynooth is a little city with a huge uni.

How much does it cost to live in Maynooth?

So except the rent which is really expensive, life in Maynooth is not so expensive. I mean for eat it's almost the same than in France.

Actually, pints are more expensive, around 5e.

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

So as you know, the Irish accent is really strong at the beginning it was really hard for me to understand. Sometimes, even now I've some problem with the comprehension but it will be fine.

When I arrive, I decided to take English academic classes to have the Cambridge diploma level. It's 5ECTS really easy and the class is really helpful.

There are a lot of classes for other languages and societies for almost each country!

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

Actually I come from Brittany in France so I decided to take the boat and bring my car. My car here is really helpful and I'm very glad that I decided to take it. So if you can bring your car, don't hesitate because it's not so expensive if you book early and you can travel easier.

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

Each night one pub becomes a night club. I like to go in the Roost and the Brady's.

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

Pubs are really good for food too.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

In Maynooth, the university is really cute and looks like in Harry Potter's movie actually. Dublin is a great city too.

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

Don't wait to begin to search for a place to living. It was really hard for me to find something even if I began to search early (May-June for September).

And just enjoy. Maynooth University is really a good place, I really enjoy my time here!

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