Even though England usually seems a more obvious choice for studying abroad as compared to Ireland, there are many reasons why you should choose Ireland as your destination.
This country will allow you to broaden your horizons and obtain a deep understanding of any study abroad program that you might choose to enroll in. Courses range from anthropology to business administration to psychology and literature.
The people of the country are known for their subtle humor and energy and can add a significant amount of joie de vivre to your life. The close proximity to London, Paris, Madrid and Berlin allows you to travel across the border and experience these other countries as well.
Reasons to Study in Ireland
Being one of the friendliest countries in the world that welcomes study abroad students with open arms and warmth, you can be assured of no issues with the local population.
On the other hand, you can expect to find a lot of help in discovering the exquisite places that you should visit there during your stay. The lush, emerald expanses of land, coastal hills and lakes are sure to mesmerize you instantaneously.
Hearing about the rich Irish history, the myths, legends, and folklore from the locals themselves has a charm that surpasses the experience of merely reading about it in books and magazines.
Education System in Ireland
Ireland lays a lot of importance to education in the overall development of children. And that is the reason why it has the highest proportion of students who attend school under the age of 18. This is reason enough to assume that the high school study abroad programs are bound to be robust and structured.
Typically a high school study abroad program will have a curriculum that includes subjects like language, science, mathematics and social studies. The study abroad programs allow you to pursue your interests in extra-curricular activities like personal development, social awareness and sports.
The most favored sports in Ireland are soccer, badminton, hockey, track and field and squash. Dance, debate, theatre and music are also promoted by most of the study abroad programs in the country.
Courses
Most study abroad programs include high school summer programs as well that you can choose in case you want to spend a short period of time in the country. For a high school summer study abroad option, you could choose from a range of courses like language, art, literature or some other vocational study abroad programs. Study abroad scholarships are also easily available. These study abroad programs include internships to provide you with a hands-on feel of the job market.
Best Places to Study in Ireland
One of the popular universities in the country is the University of Limerick that has exquisite courses like equine research, Irish studies, public administration and sports science among other regular courses like environmental science, engineering, accounting and biochemistry.
The National University of Ireland at Galway is one of the most reputed universities in the country. It was awarded the ‘Irish University of the Year’ award in 2002.
The University College Cork is the oldest university in Ireland and offers full term courses for any discipline that you may choose to follow.
Study in Dublin
If you want to truly experience the Irish culture, then there’s no better place to go than the capital city of Dublin. Dublin boasts a population of over 1 million people, so there’s always something to keep its inhabitants entertained.
With over 30 attractions for visitors to see, ranging from a historic fortress known as Dublin Castle to a 17th century Irish Museum of Modern Art, there’s never a slow moment in Ireland for visitors and students alike.
For students who want to study abroad in Ireland one of the most recognized universities for international students is American College in Dublin. Established in 1993, American College is known for its:
Diverse student population of students from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, America, and much more.
Modern and hip location (Dublin), which has plenty of restaurants, shops, museums, and other night spots for students to walk to from the campus.
And for helpful ways to make your Irish experience an affordable one, you can visit the Study Abroad Student Loans or Financial Aid for Study Abroad sections.
Visa and Requirements
For studying in Ireland, citizens of United States, Canada, Mexico or the European Union do not need a visa. What they do need, however, is a residence permit once they have reached the country. Residents of some other countries also no not require a visa to study abroad in Ireland and the list can be availed from the Consulate.
You need standard documents like your passport, photographs, the filled visa form, proof of registration in an accredited institute and evidence of being medically fit to enter the country. Keep some of the other documents to prove solvency, payment of registration fees to the study abroad program office and educational qualifications.
It takes time to get a visa for Ireland and at times it may even take 6 to 8 weeks. Therefore, make sure that you plan for this time while applying for a student visa to study abroad.
Travel and Free Time
The best way to get from one point to another in Ireland is to choose between the great bus and rail services.
The Republic is serviced by the Bus Eireann and Irish Rail service, while Ulsterbus and Northern Ireland Railways provide transportation in Northern Ireland.
If you decide to attend American College, the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) offers service from the North to the South. If you decide to travel throughout Europe you can use a company like RailPass.com to get great discounts on train tickets. And if you’re under 26 you can get a Eurail youthpass that is extra cheap for international students.
If you want to enjoy the Irish landscape and also get some exercise you can join a large portion of the Irish population by riding a bike. Even though the railway and bus systems are popular, more efforts are being made by the government to make the roads and transportation services bike-friendly. That means you can rent a bike for a reasonable price for the week and also get accessories and insurance.
You can even take it onto the bus or train if you need to get to a far away distance. Then when you are there you can enjoy the beautiful Irish countryside and stop at your own leisure.