Study Abroad Programme at DCU

As a first time traveler, I was very nervous. I had never been outside the United States before, and now I was going to spend an entire semester in a different country. Hands down, it was one if the best decisions I have ever made. The city of Dublin was big and filled with so many amazing pubs and cute thrift shops. The city life was just as beautiful as the the nature. Dublin City University had such a thriving campus and the classes were engaging and thought-provoking. I highly recommend Ireland to anyone who wants to travel abroad. It really is the perfect place to start.

After not being able to go abroad during my Bachelor's program, I decided it was time, when I was in the middle of my Master's program. I studied German and English Studies and as a post-grad program Comparative Literary Studies in English and American Language, Literature and Culture, at a German university.

DCU was the first uni to repond and they were so nice and helpful that I liked them immediately. I never experienced such nice people, who were helpful and made me feel welcome. Even though I was told, my chances of getting a room on campus were non-existent, I applied and, to my surprise, I received an answer shortly. I was offered a more expensive room on the post-grad complex. I was so happy and took the offer. I did not regret it. The room was nice, big, with its own bathroom, tv and everything. The campus was amazing as well. The Nubar with its Goujons and Chips made it so much easier being away from home. During my first week, I had orientation, where older students would answer questions and I could get to know different clubs. I joined the archery club, by the way. The seminars I attended were ok. Of course, the students were shy and I did not make a tons of friends right away. But I had the nicest, international (Irish, African, German, Canadian) room mates and I made a couple of Irish friends, who I still am in touch with.

Looking back, I have to say, I had the time of my life. Dublin is a beautiful city, with beautiful (hidden) places, parks, amazing restaurants and people. DCU campus has a lot to offer and I was very surprised (in comparison to my boring German campus) to find a bar, Starbucks, a state of the art sports complex (which I was allowed to go to for free), a library, super market and book store.

Thank you so so much!

DCU have supported me since I was thinking to apply for Ireland. International Office Staff give all the security that international students need to make them sure of their decision and they have answered all my question an that's why I've choosed DCU since the beggining for my exchange program. The first 3 month I've stayed in a host family house that DCU carefully choose for me and was an great experience, I could learn more about Irish culture and their habits. Also, in those 3 months I've studied english to prepare myself for taking science classes in DCU and that helped me a lot to improve my English. After that i've lived in DCU accomodation campus which is amazing and in there I could experience one of the best time of my life for sure. DCU teachers are awsome and very attentive. For sure I would recommend DCU to any student of the world !

My name is Pollini Passos and I would like to talk a little bit about my experience in Dublin City University during my graduation through the Science Without Borders Brazilian programme. Choosing DCU was an easy decision after researching about the best universities in Ireland and it became one of the best ones in my entire life.
The international office was always very patient and helpful even before I decided to study at DCU, whenever I had a question I sent emails and the answer was always quick and helpful. I arrived directly to the academic year, and even not knowing a lot of people, easily DCU became home. The students' accommodation provided by the university is all new and comfortable, and the staff is always kind to help.
During the academic year I took several relevant modules related to the Manufacturing Engineering course where classes were all fine and the Lecturers always ready to assist the students. Besides that, during the summer, I had the honour to develop a research alongside Dr. Liam MacGabhann that hopefully will become the basis for my final dissertation back in Brazil.
I owe a huge gratitude to Caroline and Emma, both from the international office, that always supported us in every field of our lives. Also, to all the friends I made during this incredible year: you made Ireland feels like home, even if it was for a short time. I will carry this experience and you all with me, for the rest of my life, thanks for every second spent here. Thanks for all the nights spent indoors during the terrible winter, thanks for every shite night at NuBar, thanks for enjoying the spring that none of us will ever forget.
Finally, thanks DCU, for having me. Thanks for the year of my life!

Coming from the Catholic University of Paris, I have studied one semester (september-december 2015) at DCU.
Overall this semester was a fantastic experience for me. This might sound too general but I better grasp the plurality of the world in which I am living today thanks to this experience. And this is not the case of all my fellow students in Paris. I am not meaning that they are not open to the world, but the experience abroad is a much better way of understanding our world.

In that matter, DCU is a great University. I have been warmly welcomed with a pre-semester week specifically organized for foreign students. I was assisted during the choice of the modules and during the whole semester by a very competent and available International Office.

Regarding accomodations, DCU must be one of the most modern University in Europe. Welfare and after-school activities are a significant part of DCU's policies. The Helix building welcomes films, conferences and drinks party. The huge library grants students with thousands of textbooks and articles in each academic field. Those crucial resources are available on DCU's website. It is very convenient to borrow a book or to download an article. Sports are also encouraged in DCU. Football, rugby grounds, tennis courts, swimming pool and gym rooms are available and included in tuition fees. I have been delighted to take part in a well-organized five-a-side football league that gathers students from all other the world. The spirit was amazing.

Finally, a part from the excellence of modules granted, the most amazing experience for me was the impetus laid on student life. This student life is really prompted by DCU's administration. I can not count how many events I have been to, how many societies exist. The most amazing thing for me was to discover that student life had a proper building -the HUB. The Student Union is working all day long to help students register to events, pay their Leap card for Dublin Buses, basically give information on societies etc. Every week there is a theme such as mental health or Sexual Health Awareness & Guidance that grant students with interest and knowledge on the subject. I took part in 3 different societies (International relations society, DCU astro league, DCU Surf'n Sail society, Esoc) but I could have taken part in far more if I wanted to. In deed the subscription to each society costs 4€. In concrete terms, I enjoyed great "craics" (real Irish world) on campus events, attended conferences with the Palestianian Ambassador in Ireland and went surfing in Bundoran in October !

From a French point of view, it was a real pleasure to meet appreciated Dubliners, to discover Dublin - its joyful atmosphere and typical weather, and to study in an open University.

A sincere thank you

Had a wonderful time.The people at DCU (staff, students, admin) were all so approachable and kind. The school is really nice and clean. The classes are not that difficult and the teachers are very understanding if you need help in a class or anything because you are an international student. There are a lot of clubs and societies that you can join. The pub on campus is quite fun. Always something to do. Close enough to city center but not in city center which was kind of nice.

Dublin is one of the best cities in Europe, let alone the world. I studied at this University and always had time to have a great time and enjoy the city and the excellent view of Ireland. I learned a lot about European culture in my classes and really enjoyed making new friends. Going abroad was the greatest decision of my life and I would not change anything about my trip! My friends and I would often go to different universities to hang out with Irish students that we had met out.

Studying at DCU was definitely the best experience I've ever had in my life. Getting to know some of the nicest and most helpful people I've ever met, speaking English all the time and having the opportunity to take modules I can't take here in Brazil make me don't have anything to complain about the Exchange.
DCU staff were always there to support us and they were always trying to make us feel the most comfortable possible. DCU has a big campus, with lots of facilities as restaurants, a drugstore, a bank and some ATMS around, besides the huge library where you can find some really important books.

As an Engineering student, I could learn a lot from the modules I had taken there - from bionedical engineering to programming and image processing modules.
DCU accommodations are very good, maybe the best I've seen in Dublin, and they are all inside the campus or quite near it.

Visit NuBar, go to the Albert College Park, join a society or a club... enjoy DCU to the fullest. I can tell you: YOU WON'T REGRET IT ;)